Habitats

Diverse habitats

Centrally located in the Laurentian estuary, Grosse Île is part of the Isle-aux-Grues archipelago. It has a surface area of 2.2 km²: 2.7 km long by 800 m wide. Despite its small size, Grosse Île features three main habitats.

Grosse Île shoreline

First, the coastline, with its grassy bays and rocky shoreline, makes up about 25% of the island’s surface. Subjected to strong tides of close to 7 m and lightly salted water, the coastline is populated with groups of American bulrush.

Marsh

Second, the island’s wetland and luxurious vegetation covers about 11% of its surface. This habitat, with its rich and water-logged soil, is home to an uncommon marriage of speckled alder and skunk cabbage.

Forest
© Parks Canada / E. Le Bel

Lastly, a forest covers more than 70% of the island and contains more than 25 species of trees, especially balsam fir, red maple and Canadian hemlock.

Advice when visiting
To appreciate and preserve this unique vegetation, we encourage you to use the groomed trails and avoid walking in the vegetation along the shoreline and in the woods. This way you can enjoy these wonders of nature without further endangering them.