Ile d'Orleans Travel Guide

Welcome to Ile d'Orleans, Quebec

Discovered by Jaques Cartier in 1535, Ile d’Orleans—as its French name implies—is an island in the Saint Lawrence River, just 5 km (3 mi) from Quebec City. Home to six distinct villages, the island measures 34 km (21 mi) long by 8 km (5 mi) wide and can be accessed by the Pont de I’lle Bridge and its main road, Chemin Royal.

Originally named the “Island of Bacchus” for its wild grape vines, its fertile soil first led settlers of New France to the island in the 1600s, followed by a thriving shipbuilding industry in the 1700s. Over 20 shipyards on the island produced 300 to 400 boats annually and this rich maritime history is illustrated in the old Saint-Laurent Village Shipyard, which is now the Parc Maritime de Saint-Laurent. Its early beginnings as a farming centre have not faded away, however. Today, the island continues to bear grapes and is host to several vineyards, orchards and farm shops. And amongst its many historic buildings are some 18th and 19th century bakeries, which are still in operation and form an integral part of Quebec’s cultural heritage.