Île Vanier Island is a piece of land which lies in the St. Lawrence River and is opposite Île d’Orleans. It is situated between Île d’Orleans, Longueuil, Pointe Claire and Montréal. It is also a part of the borough of Laval.
Being just 10 minutes away from the downtown core of the city, this island is one of those great places to visit. This exclusive island turns out to be a perfect destination for those who love ambiance, nature, and relaxation. This place has a small population but is rich in culture, heritage, and history.
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Île Vanier Island History
The island was first inhabited by the Algonquin people. In 1663, it became a possession of Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his brother Jean-Baptiste Colbert. They named the island Île Vanier after François-Pierre Aulnay Vanier, Bishop of Quebec. The bishop had been instrumental in acquiring for France the islands at Lighthouse Point from England in 1673.
In 1682 the island came under English rule and most of it was ravaged by fire. In 1694, city rights were bought by Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville again, who then installed his family on the island as well (he became also governor-general).
In 1701 Jean-Baptiste Colbert returned to Île Vanier after fighting in Spain against Philip V and took up residence there permanently alongside his daughter Marie Adelaide, the future wife of Louis XIV. This was the beginning of a family residence on Île Vanier which survived until 1949 when, during World War II and under Canadian Department of National Defense departmental regulations that forbade “enemy aliens” from owning crown lands in Canada, it was demolished (the funds for its demolition had been obtained by auction).
Climate
The climate is milder than on mainland Quebec, with less variation in temperature between day and night. The island receives more rainfall than the rest of the province due to its higher elevation. Summers are warm and sunny, with an average high of 30 degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit) in July.
Winters are cool but pleasant, with daytime temperatures frequently rising above freezing during morning hours only to be followed by a hot sunset. The island is often snow-free from mid-November until the end of April.
The surrounding Saint Lawrence River is prone to ice forming unexpectedly between December and March; ferries provide access year-round for passenger service. There is no ferry service between August 1 and November 30.
The island’s highest point, Mont MacKenzie (536 m), lies over the eastern end of Ile-aux-Grues. The landscape varies from flat lowlands to rocky outcrops jutting up to forested slopes with an abundance of snow-capped peaks everywhere except at the city center where houses stand in the view from the high ground around Montreal on a straight line well to the north.
In contrast, Pointe-à Baleine (321 meters) and Le Rocher Portage are only accessible by foot from the downtown business district across a rocky ledge with a long trail marked in red stones on GPS maps where there used to be historical interpretation panels describing Cartier’s voyages before they were destroyed during renovations of an industrial park.
Culture
The culture is Quebecois. The people are proud of their French-Canadian heritage and speak both English and French fluently. There is a sizable Roman Catholic population, though there is also a significant Protestant minority.
There are no casinos on the island; however, sports betting is available at licensed establishments in Montreal. The official currency of Ile-aux-Grues is the Canadian dollar (C$).
Politics
Ile-aux-Grues has a single elected representative in the National Assembly of Quebec, who is also its Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs. The island has no political party representation.
Ile-aux-Grues is part of the electoral district of La Matanie—Matane—Matapedia. Under the Canada Elections Act, Ile-aux-Grues is treated as an urban federal electoral district.
Government services
The island has its own post office and police force, as well as a fire department.
The National Assembly of Quebec maintains an office on the island, which provides limited government services to Ile-aux-Grues and the surrounding communities.
Ile-aux-Grues is served by Montreal’s urban bus system.
Tourism
Ile-aux-Grues is a popular destination for tourists who come to explore the island’s natural and historical wonders. The island has several tourist attractions, including Mont-Royal, Quebec City’s summit, Baie-Saint-Paul National Park, and Pointe à Baleine.
The economy of Ile-aux-Grues is based largely on agriculture, with crops such as sugar beets, potatoes, apples, pears, and grapes.
The Francophone community of Ile-aux-Grues is culturally united. Its social life revolves around the churches or other organizations that wish to sponsor a cultural event. The most important celebrations for its inhabitants are Saint Laurent Day (September 29) , Quebec City’s Festival day,
and Baie James Day (May 6), whatever date this holiday falls on in August each year, marks the founding of Baleine Island, which later became Ile-aux-Grues. Celebration is usually held on a boat near the island.
Transport
The island has no airport, although the Quebec City-Lévis international bridge links it to Montreal.
The island’s only means of transportation is by boat. There are several small ports on the island that serve local fishermen and tourists. The ferry service between Ile-aux-Grues and Baie Saint Paul runs daily during the summer months and has a limited schedule in winter.
Cuisine
Traditional Québécois cuisine is the main attraction of Ile-aux-Grues. Local dishes include smoked meat, cheese, poutine, and eggs benedict.
Ile-aux-Grues has more than one hundred restaurants, snack bars, and cafés. There is also an artichoke festival that takes place during autumn.
Conclusion
Île Vanier is a magical green space, surrounded by Petite Île Île-Des-Monts, the Isle of Montreal and the Rivière des Prairies. The park is home to over 390 species of animals and 323 species of flora, and it’s protected by UNESCO as a Ramsar site for its environmental significance.
Because of all this wildlife, Île Vanier has declared a National Wildlife Area in 1974. This small island also has some intriguing history behind it: In 1994, the federal government bought this piece of land to create a nature reserve. Then, in 2000, it turned into an island as part of the National Park Act.
FAQs
1.Are There Any Plans To Build Homes On Île Vanier?
There are no current plans to build homes on Île Vanier.
2.Why Do They Call It “Île Vanier” When There Are No Water Accesses, Only A Small Beach, And Hardly Any Trees Around?
The island is actually called Île-aux-Grues, but it’s been known as “Île Vanier” since the 1960s when it was officially designated a national park. The name comes from prime minister Charles Vanier, who named the area in honor of his father ( Henri-Émile Vanier ), a Quebec politician and Member of Parliament for Notre Dame du Lac—then part of Laval County —in 1916.
3.When Did Île Vanier Become A National Park?
In 1994, the federal government bought this piece of land to create a nature reserve, and on February 3, 2000, it officially became an island as part of the National Parks Act. Countless hikers have completed half-or full-day treks there over several decades now; in fact, many people hike back with their own packed lunches since they seldom let themselves get hungry while they’re there. Some of the back-country trails are accessible only via a separate, winding access road on Île Vanier that opens up at various points along the park’s perimeter.
4.Is It True That The Government Will Turn Île Vanier Into A Park Or A Nuclear Waste Dump?
There are no current plans to turn Île Vanier into a park or nuclear waste dump.
5.What Is Île Vanier Island?
The island is about long by wide, with a total area of. It has no natural harbors or rivers and there are only a few small beach areas. The highest point on the island is just over sea level. In 2000 it became an official National Park of Canada as part of the National Parks Act.
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