Twenty minutes from Quebec, Ile d'Orleans is a terroir bubble in the river. Artisanal cheese dairies, century-old cider houses, market tables, and authentic Quebec flavors: everything the city can't give you is here.

HOW TO REACH THE ISLAND

Ile d'Orleans is accessible only by a single bridge at the north of the island, from route 138. You can drive or bike for the more adventurous. It takes about twenty minutes from Old Quebec. The island is about 35 kilometers around, and every kilometer offers something to see, taste, or buy.

The best is to start in the morning, go around clockwise, and plan a full day. The addresses naturally follow one another along the route: a cheese dairy after a vineyard, a cider counter before a blackcurrant stand. The island moves at its own pace, and it would be a shame to rush through it.

CHEESE DAIRIES AND CIDER HOUSES

Ile d'Orleans has several renowned cheese dairies, some of which produce cheeses featured in the best restaurants in Quebec. Goat cheeses and pressed cheeses are the island's specialties. Some producers offer tours of their facilities: don't miss the chance to see how a cheese is made that might be on a board tonight at Carrera Cafe.

Cidreries are another major reason to make the detour. Quebec ice cider is a world specialty, and Île d'Orléans is one of its birthplaces. Some producers offer free tastings, others charge a few dollars for a full tour of the production. In both cases, leave with a few bottles: they make great gifts and keep for several years.

EAT AND DRINK ON THE ISLAND

The island has several restaurants and rustic tables that work exclusively with local producers. Menus change according to the seasons and arrivals. You eat dishes that remind you that Quebec cuisine, when well made with good products, is one of the great cuisines of the North American continent.

RETURN TO QUEBEC IN STYLE

After a day on the island, the view of Quebec when crossing back over the bridge is one of the most beautiful you can have of the city. The Château Frontenac stands out against the sky, the river stretches eastward, and the Lower Town gently lights up. It's the perfect moment to return, drop off your purchases, and finish the day at Carrera Cafe with an espresso and a platter of Quebec cheeses, perhaps including some brought back from the island.