Grosse Île and the Irish Memorial National Historic Site of Canada
Activities
A vast range of experience and visit opportunities is offered to you at Grosse Île. Those various activities shall allow you to learn more about the historical importance of immigration to Canada through the port of Québec, about the Irish tragedy of 1847, and about the roles and functions of a quarantine station. In order to learn more about living an insulated life in quarantine, you shall have the chance to meet comedians personifying the station’s staff and immigrants. Finally, you shall also discover the richness of the natural environment of Grosse Île and the beautiful landscapes offered to the eyes.
Irish Memorial © Parks Canada / S. Derome
VISIT OF THE HOTEL SECTOR :
Discover the hotel sector (or western sector), intended in the past for healthy immigrants, by walking along the short trail leading to the Celtic cross and the Memorial.
The Memorial, located near the Irish cemetery, honours the memory of the immigrants, the employees of the quarantine station, the sailors, the doctors and the priests who perished on this island. Once there, you can search for the names of those buried on the island and take in the peaceful setting.
Guided tours of approximately 55 minutes are also available in this sector.
The inspection of immigrants in the disinfection building © Parks Canada / P. Fauteux
VISIT OF THE DISINFECTION BUILDING :
The disinfection building at Grosse Île's entrance, near the wharf, is host to a multimedia exhibition recounting the events that marked the island's history. The showers, waiting rooms and steam disinfection apparatus will help you understand the disinfection procedures the immigrants had to undergo at the time. Moreover, comedians personifying the station’s staff shall give you the opportunity to experiment the medical inspection to which the immigrants were subjected in the past.
VISIT OF THE VILLAGE AND HOSPITAL SECTORS :
A tourist trolley will bring you in the village sector (center), intended in the past for the employees and their families, and in the hospital sector (east), intended in the past for the sick immigrants. You shall have the opportunity to visit the catholic chapel, anglican chapel, the house of the public works officer and the exhibition about village life. You will also have the chance to visit one of the oldest buildings of the island, the lazaretto, erected in 1847. Witness of the Irish tragedy of 1847, it is host to an exhibition, fruit of a collaboration between Parks Canada and the government of Ireland. Furthermore, many other historic buildings and remains are still present on the island.
The trolley tour lasts approximately 75 minutes.
The tourist trolley © Parks Canada / Productions Train d'enfer
Red room in the lazaretto © Parks Canada / P. Gauthier
WALKING TOUR OF THE ISLAND
You now have the opportunity to visit the entire quarantine station on foot and to discover with complete freedom, at your own pace, the charm and the richness of Grosse Île.
Among other things, you can choose to follow a part or all of the traject of the tourist trolley on foot. Historical information on the quarantine station’s organization is provided at some locations, where you can also meet the people who lived on the island, such as the nurse, catholic priest, carter and school teacher.
Grosse Île stretching over a distance of approximately 2.5 km, a walking tour can take between 60 and 120 minutes depending on your pace and time at each location.
THE MIRADOR TRAIL:
Nature lovers will have the chance to explore the Mirador trail, a 2.5-kilometre long walking trail in the forest of Grosse Île, and to admire floral diversity and landscapes.
Information panels about the various ecosystems and the rare plants of Grosse Île are posted along the trail. Rest spots and belvederes are also available, offering gorgeous views on the landscapes of the island and of the St. Lawrence estuary.
Mirador Trail © Parks Canada / P. Gauthier
Activities
Summer 2011:
- May 2: Tourism season opens to visitors. Regular services offered.
- May 21: From L’Isle-aux-Grue to Grosse Ile. Ornithological day.
- June 4: The birds of Grosse Ile. Ornithological day.
- June 18: The day of the residents of la Côte-du-Sud.
- July 1: Canada Day. Free admission to the Historic Site, but crossing fees still apply.
- July 2: Acoustic concert of Yves Lambert in trio at the catholic chapel of Grosse Ile, in evening.
- July 16: Parks Canada Day. Free admission to the Historic Site, but crossing fees still apply.
- July 29: Acoustic concert of Kevin Parent at the catholic chapel of Grosse Ile, in evening.
- August 5: Recitation of love letters with Mireille Deyglun and Christian Bégin at the catholic chapel of Grosse Ile, in evening.
- August 11: When the planets meet. Evening of astronomy.
- August 27: Archeo-Québec at Berthier-sur-Mer Marina.
- October 10: 2011 season ends
NB: For evening reservations, contact us at 418-234-8841 or toll free at 1-888-773-8888.