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When Camila & Nicolas chose us as their photographers for their intimate wedding/elopement in the Magdalen Islands, we suggested that we could also do a few photoshoots in different spots on the islands so we could have the pleasure to make them discover our favorite places. So the four of us traveled from one end of the archipelago to the other (sometimes at dawn!) to capture their love and their special bond in some of the best landscapes that the Islands have to offer.

Here are 6 dream photoshoot locations in the Magdalen Islands.

1. Dune-du-Nord Beach
2. The lagoons
3. Havre-aux-maisons
4. Cap-Alright Lighthouse
5. Dune-du-Sud Beach
6. Cap Hérissé and the Borgot Lighthouse

YOU DON’T KNOW IT YET, BUT YOU ARE EMBARKING ON A COMPLETELY CRAZY VISUAL ROAD TRIP!

Dune-du-Nord Beach

This 16.5 km beach connects the island of Cap-aux-Meules to that of Pointe-aux-Loups. It is one of Josée’s favorite beaches because the wind blows there always stronger than elsewhere . You can feel completely at one with the elements. After parking in the authorized places, you have to cross the dunes using small wooden sidewalks or well-defined paths to access the sea. Above all, resist the urge to walk anywhere through the beachgrass, as it is a particularly fragile ecosystem which is at the very heart of the survival of the islands. So as the French say : Attention FragÎles!

The Lagoons

A lagoon is a shallow body of water separated from the sea by a sandy barrier. There are several in the Magdalen Islands and we had always dreamed of doing a photo session there. (By the way, it’s a great spot to fish for shells.)

We were back from the Dune du Nord beach with Camila & Nicolas and we had the distinct impression that the sun was not going to be in our favor at that time. Never mind, we told ourselves that we would still give it a shot.

OH MY GOD! 

While walking on the side of the road to access the lagoon, we noticed a kind of hole in the sky! Just big enough to unveil an amazing fireball! We ran like crazy because we knew it would only last a few minutes LOL

We must admit that the timing could not have been more perfect!

Havre aux Maisons

Despite the fact that this was our 6th trip to the Magdalen Islands, Patrick and I took advantage of our visit to discover new points of view. After all, it’s in our DNA! This very short but rather steep path offering an unforgettable view of the Havre-aux-Maisons Island is one of them. It has become one of ou most favorite photoshoot locations in the Magdalen Islands!

We then arranged to meet Camila & Nicolas for a sunrise photo shoot near the Pointe-Basse dock. After taking a path to the top of a cliff, this completely crazy view was offered to us!

Cap-Alright Lighthouse

On the same morning, we then made a short stop at the Cap-Alright Lighthouse to contemplate the view of Entry Island and the cliffs of Échoueries beach.

Dune du Sud Beach

The Magdalen Islands are one of the places in Quebec where the effects of climate change are most visible. We were shocked when we saw the Dune-du-Sud beach. Patrick and I used to venture there regardless of the tides and go for a walk at the foot of its famous red cliffs.

But after a particularly severe storm in late fall 2019, that portion of the beach was completely wiped out. The beach practically no longer exists, swallowed up by the sea! To get around the first cape, we must now wait for favorable tidal conditions otherwise, we have water up to our waist according to the regulars.

Our initial plan was to introduce Camila & Nicolas to this place in the soft grazing light of the sunrise, but during our stay, the dates of the low tides did not coincide with the sunrise. Finally, we decided to photograph them there later in the day. A humbling lesson about the forces of nature!

Cap Hérissé & Borgot Lighthouse

Overlooking Cap Hérissé, the Borgot Lighthouse is one of the most popular places to watch sunsets on the Islands. And for good reason! The sun bathing the red cliffs of the Cape in a warm light is an unforgettable sight.

We arranged to meet Camila & Nicolas there to have a last drink and take some pictures. It is in this soft light filtered by a hazy sky that we said goodbye to these two exceptional people that we’ve had the chance to meet for a few days. We were so lucky to be able to show them our favorite photoshoot locations in the Magdalen Islands. It’s crazy to say, but our experience of the islands is now forever linked to them, to our rich conversations, to the bursts of laughter we shared and especially to this beautiful friendship that has formed between us.