Québec National Parks, one of the three magnificent Sépaq Networks

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	Interpretation

Discovery Activities

On the general theme of "A necklace of Islands in the Heart of the Saint Lawrence", the park offers you many guided activities in a rabaska canoe, on foot, and even by motorized vehicle. The park also offers an introduction to bird watching. After sitting in on an information session, you can test your knowledge during a guided hike. Guided tours are also available for groups upon reservation.

Calendar of Discovery and Special Activities

Discovery and Visitor Centre

The magnificent permanent exhibit entitled "A String of Islands in a Mighty River" is sure to interest you. Using the latest museum techniques, it provides a magnificent overview of the richness and uniqueness of the park, evoking, among other things, the main chapters in the island's story of human habitation since prehistory. In many respects, this is a great starting point for an unforgettable visit. In addition, come see the permanent exhibit on the park's history, presented at the Visitors Centre on Île Grosbois. Among other things, you will find old photographs from the days of the King Edward amusement park.

Self-guided Discovery Activities

Islands to Explore
Explore the islands on foot or by bicycle and discover their surprising natural characteristics, guided by the 14 interpretation panels set up near the trail. The complete circuit is approximately 20 kilometres long.

Discover the Marsh
With the help of this brochure about marsh life, learn to recognize plant and animal species as you canoe along the channels separating the islands. You can borrow this version of the marsh interpretation guide free of charge, upon presentation of a photo ID card.

Secrets of the Grand-Duc Trail
You can pick up this nature discovery brochure from the brochure box at the starting point of the Grand-Duc trail. This tool, complete with colour photos, will reveal unexpected facets of the park to you through 11 identified stops along the circuit, which lasts approximately 45 minutes. Try your hand at tree identification, and observe a tree that was cut down by beavers living in the park.

Nature Rally
If you want to enjoy your summer or winter hike in the park even more, why not take along the rally brochure, available at the Discovery and Visitor Centre. All along the "Le Grand Duc" walking trail, located on Île Sainte-Marguerite, your knowledge will be put to the test with questions corresponding to each stop. You can get the correct answers from an employee at the reception post.

Boucher-de-Grosbois Archaeological Site
If you would like to glimpse the lifestyle of the aboriginals who lived in the territory several thousand years ago, check out the Boucher-de-Grosbois archaeological site, located near the Grosbois warming hut. A number of aboriginal structures have been reconstituted here. Huts, benches, a porch, drier, smokehouse, leather stretcher and fireplaces give you an idea of what life must have been like for the inhabitants of that period. Two panels on the site and a brochure give you a host of information, and on certain days, a park warden and an archaeologist will be there to guide your discoveries.

School Program

"Nature Stories" and "A Park Treasure" are two school programs that were developed for students in cycles 2 and 3 of primary school, in the spirit of the education reform. These programs were designed to be conducted autonomously by teachers, with lesson plans and tools provided. However, a park warden will meet the group both at the beginning and the end of their park visit.

To download programs (in French only)