The grandiose experience of the high moor at dawn

As part of my job (I’m a communications advisor for the City of Montmagny), I was lucky enough to experience a rather unique moment, that of admiring the splendor of the L’Isle-aux-Grues high marsh at first light. Here’s a summary of my unforgettable escapade.

It all starts with a photo shoot on the island

The day before the shoot, my friendly extras (my son and sister), my brave photographer and I sailed to the island on the ferry.

Shipping logistics

I’ll spare you all the logistical details, but you should know that we often have to deal with the vagaries of the weather when organizing this type of session. This time, we had to deal with the heat and humidity of a heatwave! We therefore opted to wake up at dawn to get the best possible light. We quickly set up camp at the municipal campsite, as the night was going to be short… and hot!

The largest high marsh in northeastern North America

At around 4 a.m., we made our way to the high marsh with our eyes a little glued shut. After a quick breakfast in the gazebo at the entrance to the site, we began exploring the trail through the tall grasses to take a variety of shots.

The high marsh is formed by the vast tidal flats that link L’Isle-aux-Grues to Île-aux-Oies. This incredible ecosystem is home to an impressive variety of birds. There are over 200 of them! It’s very big! It’s the largest high marsh in northeastern North America.

Great family moments

But for me, the high marsh became the place of a memorable moment in the company of my sister and son. The memory of an early-morning stroll lulled by the warm light of sunrise, by the rustle of tall grasses swaying gently in the wind, and by our giggles over a daisy.

Just goes to show, simplicity often reserves us some beautiful moments.

L'Isle-aux-Grues, that's right!

A destination for contemplation, calm and the present moment.

A place where time seems suspended, where you could drive indefinitely along the Chemin de la Batture…

At first glance, the experience may seem anodyne… But this gravel road, lined with tall grasses, isolated and peaceful, offers a sublime setting for soaking up the island’s tranquility.

Be sure to keep an eye on the tide tables, as the path can sometimes be covered in water during high tides.

This was definitely my son’s favorite activity. Thanks to the electric bikes rented from Les Maisons du Grand Héron, he could get around quickly and effortlessly at the wheel of his “bolide”. And given the sweltering heat, the refreshing breeze of the ride was greatly appreciated by us all.

I hope L’Isle-aux-Grues will always be like this! A unique place with an enchanting panorama, a paradise for cyclists and nature lovers, a magnificent destination where gentleness and serenity are at the very heart of the travel experience.

Photos: DanielTphoto