Île d'Orléans

A living showcase of our history In 1970, Île d'Orléans became the largest historic district in the province of Québec. First settled in 1648, it is a living showcase, a sanctuary of historic homes depicting four centuries of labour. Avenue Royale circles the island. This leisure drive is a way for visitors to discover the culture, history and heritage of its inhabitants. At harvest time, signs invite visitors to "pick their own" strawberries in July, corn in August and apples in September and October.

All around the island, you will see a magnificent collection of ancestral homes, churches, mills and chapels, witnesses to a hard-working past and the farming and shipbuilding vocation of Île d'Orléans. A bucolic retreat hardly 15 minutes from downtown Québec City, the island offers different types of lodging and several workshops. One visit and you are sure to fall under the spell of this enchanting island, just like so many visitors before you.