Sainte-Famille-de-l'Île-d'Orléans, Quebec City

an open-air museum

The village of Sainte-Famille can be compared to an open-air museum filled with the history of the earliest settlers on the island dating back to the French Regime. Numerous ancient buildings – like the red-roofed church and farmhouses – fill the village. When you are not looking face to face with a historical artifact then you’re checking out a full apple tree in front of the beautiful backdrop of the mountains on the other side of the St. Lawrence River. This apple village is a perfect stop on your bike tour of the island. Here are our reasons why you should spend a couple hours on this side of the island!

Maison Drouin

Take a trip back in time and explore the house of some of the early settlers of the island. Maison Drouin has an interactive tour taking you from room to room exploring the everyday objects of our ancestors from 300 years ago. Nothing is changed in this ‘normal’ house, and it leaves you with a sense that you’re having a look around someone’s house that has just popped out to the market to pick up something for dinner and should be back at any moment. For a full historical immersion into the island then this spot is not to be missed!

Les Fromages de l’isle d’Orléans

Sainte-Famille is certainly the village that will take you right back in time. Stop by the cheese shop of the island and try the oldest cheese in North America. Read our full article about the cheese here. With the sensational award-winning pan-grilled cheese combined with the mountain of knowledge the owners want to share with customers then it is a taste tour highlight.

Microbrasserie de l’Ile d’Orléans

This Belgium influenced brewery overlooking the colorful mountains and St. Lawrence River is the greatest Instagram worthy nature picture on this side of the island. Sit on the large terrace and sip on a crafted beer from the island overlooking all of Quebec’s beauty. Relax in for an evening of beers or a quick refreshment – either way, it is worth the picture-perfect moment with a delicious beer in the hand.

Relais du Pins – Authentic Sugar Shack

Visit an authentic Sugar Shack where you learn about Maple Syrup production from the experts. Taking you on a tour from start to finish of maple production starting at the collection of the sap to the transformation into syrup – you cannot get a more Canadian experience. Try some maple syrup and butter or if you’re lucky enough to arrive in spring then try a maple taffy cooled on snow.

Maison de nos Aieux – Discover your Ile d’Orleans ancestors

Maison de nos Aieux is the only place on the island that you can get a rich overview of the historic land. Find out about those who discovered the island, how they lived, what made them different and how the island changed over the years. Might have some ancestors that lived in Ile d’Orléans? Use the genealogy tools to trace back the history of your family. Maison de nos Aieux offers an unforgettable experience for all.

What to do in Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, Quebec City

Quebec City is the city that keeps on giving. From urban villages to days out in the countryside the city centre and close by region has something for all. Just 15 minutes from the centre of the city is the village of Saint-Laurent-de-l’Île-d’Orléans. Be it the views...

Cheeses of ile d’Orleans

There is nothing like a locally made speciality cheese that has been made with love and passion. The cheese from Ile d’Orléans is exactly that. A recipe dating back to 1635 when some of the first settlements in Quebec arrived. The French brought many a tradition,...

Play at the Oldest Golf Club in North America!

Hidden in a beautiful deciduous forest is the 9-hole golf course of the island. Its 150-year-old heritage makes it the oldest golf course in North America. Still partly owned by the original Dunn family of the island, the course began as a private 3-hole course...

The Vineyard Ste-Petronille

The first vineyard that you pass on your taste tour of the island is Vignoble Ste-Petronille. It is a perfect example of the unique products of the island. The grapes for the wines are all grown organically producing a high-quality bottle of wine. The vineyard...

Visit the Maritime Museum

Île d’Orleans is considered one of the most historical districts of the Quebec region. With farmlands and accompanying stone houses dating back to the French regime, then it is not surprising that some elements of the island feel like taking a step back in time...

6 Hour Bike Tour

When you get the island there are options for all sporty and outdoor types. Whether you want to tour the island via the classic bike, double your power with a tandem team, go half and half with an electric bike or travel in complete luxury with a scooter the Quebec...

Strawberry Fields

Strawberries and other small fruits thrive on Île d’Orleans, the light and sandy soil mixed with the breeze from the St. Lawrence River ensure that it is, well in my opinion, the best strawberries in Canada and dare I say it - the world. The strawberry from the island...

La Vinaigrerie Cass’Isle d’Orléans

Du Captaine’ vinegar of St-Jean-de-l'Île-d'Orléans gives the world-famous Balsamic of Modena DOP a good competition on the best kinds of vinegar of the world. La Vinaigrerie Cass’Isle d'Orléans is based in the village of the island’s captains in Saint-Jean. Fittingly...

Sweet-tooth heaven!

Île d’Orleans is always bigger than visitors expect. When you think of an island off of a city then you think it is going to be just a small hour-long detour. However, thankfully that is not the case here. The island is around 70km around the main route. With so many...

Saint-Jean-de-l’Île-d’Orléans, Quebec City

Like the whole of the island, the village of Saint-Jean is a hidden treasure. Historically then this was the village of the captains. In the center of town in front of the Catholic church of Saint-Jean, there is the cemetery which holds the remains of many great...