Bijoutier Island

Bijoutier Island is a small island located near the town of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue in Quebec, Canada.

The island is home to a small private museum dedicated to the history of jewellery and watchmaking. Admission to the museum is free, and it is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

History

Bijoutier Island was originally settled in the 17th century by people of French-Canadian origin. The island’s first watchmaker, Jacques Bijoutier, started making watches on the island in 1687. The museum is situated on land that belonged to Bijoutier until his death in 1727. After his death, the island passed through several hands before coming into possession of the Laurent family in 1946. Today, it is a private property open only from May to September.

Climate

The climate on Bijoutier Island is warm and humid. November to March are the hottest months, and February to April are the coolest months. Climate data is taken from Environment Canada. See the Weather section for more information on temperatures and precipitation. Events

The two-month-long Bijoutier Islands Winter Festival is held during January and February. The festival brings hundreds of people onto the Island each year, who come to see some concerts, watch a hockey game or participate in many different activities such as snowmobiling and cross country skiing on the island’s frozen lake.

Culture

The culture of Bijoutier Island is francophone and includes elements of Catholic and Protestant religions. French is the predominant language spoken on the island. The francophone heritage is reflected in the island’s accents and customs, which are similar to those of Quebec.

Food staples include soupe à l’oignon dans le creux de la main (French onion soup served ‘in hand’), fresh eggs from the chickens that roam freely on property or purchased at local markets during shopping season; meat pies called pâté canadien made with an outer casing of dough and a middle filling of seasoned meat, smoked salmon or cream cheese.

Politics

The island is within the riding of Brossard-Saint-Laurent and is represented in the House of Commons by Member of Parliament Mélanie Joly. The land is privately owned by the Laurent family and was first used for farming in 1857.

After several generations of use as farmland, it was purchased and developed into a summer vacation home during the early 20th century after 50 acres were cleared to make way for construction; this included building bridges over a wide bay separating Bijoutier Island from St-Agapit Island where future wooden jetties would be built linking both islands together during the 1950s and 60s.

Government Services

Hospital services are available on the island year-round. A full-time health care professional is resident on Bijoutier Island during the summer months and provides round-the-clock emergency health care, as well as primary and preventive health services for residents and their visitors.

The island also has a post office, which closes at 6 p.m., except on Saturdays when it opens from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.; there is a telephone booth and payphone on the island which also provides Internet access, this is only available during winter months.

Culture

It is possible to rent boats powered by outboard motors or sailboats with inboard engines for water sport activities such as fishing that are available there year round due to its location within St-Lawrence River estuary system.

Bijoutier Island’s climate allows snowmobiling through private grounds there around Christmas time. The island is a popular tourist destination and has some facilities to support its growing population, including an ice-covered tennis court (the only one of its kind in Canada) that usually keeps the surface frozen year round; this allows for organized activities such as skiing and spring/autumn golf tournaments at these times.

Tourism

The island has a small tourist industry that operates during the summer months when it is open to visitors. There are several bed and breakfasts and restaurants available on the island which cater primarily to tourists but also offer accommodation for permanent residents.

Tourist attractions include tours of Bijoutier Island’s ice-covered tennis court, visits to its isolated beaches where birds such as seagulls can be seen scavenging for food, picnicking and a picturesque view of the bridges in English Town.

Geography

Bijoutier Island is located south from the St Lawrence River, which separates it from Pointe-du-Barachois and Île Gagnon controlled by Quebec’s Chaudière–Appalaches district in Le Haut de La Montagne region called Haute Mauricie administrative region) within L’île aux Tourtes (the Isle of Pears) archipelago, along with a number of other islands. The closest inhabited place is Île-Jésus Island.

Transport

Bijoutier Island is accessible by boat only. There is a regular ferry service that connects it to Pointe-du-Barachois in Quebec, but the island’s population grows so rapidly that the ferry now carries both tourists and permanent residents as well.

The former local company, St.-Michel Ferries that operates the ferry service during peak periods has been replaced in 2005 by a new summer resort and Télétrans Straitjet from Quebec City. The federal Deltaport authority runs the seasonal passenger shuttle to Nanisivik (Nunavut) seasonally although most residents now use private transportation or fly there as well.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Bijoutier Island is characterized by the use of local ingredients, seafood and game. The famous ice cream from Bijoutier Island is also produced on the island using local raw materials such as cream, sugar and eggs. Currents on this island are generally hard to find as it is partially surrounded by the thick waters of L’île-aux-Tourtes archipelago.

Wildlife

Bijoutier Island is the only inhabited island in L’île-aux-Tourtes archipelago, which supports a good variety of wild plants and animals. The islands provide an excellent habitat for several endangered species including harp seal, American black duck, beaver, grey wolf and long-tailed weasel. There is also a substantial population of bird species such as gull, geese and song birds.

The species of otter, mink and eagle are also seen around the coast. Black lemming is found in abundance on the island giving uniquely black colour to rocks exposed along the coastline and beaches during winter months only when they frequently gather near caïques and boats to feed on sea grasses (some varieties of which have a cushion-like growth).

Conclusion

Bijoutier Island is a small island located in the middle of the Saint Lawrence River. It has a population of approximately 150 people and is known for its lace-making industry. The lace-makers use natural dyes and weave the lace on long looms. The lace is then exported to various countries around the world.

FAQs:

1.What Is The History Of Bijoutier Island?

Ans. Bijoutier Island was once inhabited by the Huron people. The island was later colonized by Europeans, and it became known as Bijoutier island. In 1794, a jeweller named Nicolas-Jacques Conte bought the island and began to manufacture lace. Today, the museum on the island is dedicated to documenting this history.

2.Is Bijout Ier Island Still In Use Today?

Ans. Bijoutier island is currently used for only agricultural purposes, with the exception of a few houses that remain occupied by private individuals.

3.What Is The Climate Like On Bijoutier Island?

Ans. The climate on Bijoutier Island is temperate. The island experiences four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall.

4.Is There A Culture On Bijoutier Island?

Ans. There is no official culture in place on the island; however, the lace-makers are known for their craftsmanship and traditional techniques.