Grosse Ile
Grosse Ile
4.5
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This island historically served as a quarantine station for 19th-century European immigrants, and is presently a museum documenting their plight.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
2
tflynn48
Gainesville, FL
This is the quarentine site for European immigrants from 832 up to 1932. The park service runs and maintains the many buildings on the site and excellent guides provide commentary mostly on the early years of the Irish immigration wave and the disasterous year of 1847 when thousands died of Typhus.
Written August 13, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald M
Queens, NY
Jul 2014 • Couples
My wife and I visited Grosse Ile during the last week in July (2014) and found it to be an excellent trip that was exceptionally presented by the French Canadian Parc Department. The staff on the Island was extremely knowledgeable and fluent in the history of the island and the misery of those who past through the island.
I totally agree with the majority of the reviewers who who found this to be worth their time and effort and we came away emotionally moved from this tour. I totally disagree with the only negative comment that this was not an island of hope. The Irish who made up the majority of the refugees had no hope remaining in Ireland and many more would have died had they remained there since the British totally avoided providing any meaningful assistance.
I was surprised at the extent of the care and compassion that the Canadians provided for these refugees. The Irish were not abandoned, the Canadians Doctors, Nurses and Religious truly saved scores who would have otherwise expired from their illnesses and starvation. The experience we feel visiting this island could never be articulated or communicated through just reading a book and reviewing photos. A must see for any Irish descendant (American or Canadian) or any present day Canadian who should be proud of the heroic history of their ancestors during this period.
I totally agree with the majority of the reviewers who who found this to be worth their time and effort and we came away emotionally moved from this tour. I totally disagree with the only negative comment that this was not an island of hope. The Irish who made up the majority of the refugees had no hope remaining in Ireland and many more would have died had they remained there since the British totally avoided providing any meaningful assistance.
I was surprised at the extent of the care and compassion that the Canadians provided for these refugees. The Irish were not abandoned, the Canadians Doctors, Nurses and Religious truly saved scores who would have otherwise expired from their illnesses and starvation. The experience we feel visiting this island could never be articulated or communicated through just reading a book and reviewing photos. A must see for any Irish descendant (American or Canadian) or any present day Canadian who should be proud of the heroic history of their ancestors during this period.
Written July 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Twistkow
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Jun 2013 • Couples
A very moving experience that was brought to life by Pierre Loop (Peter the Wolf as he introduced himself to us). Pierre was passionate about this island and was familiar with all aspects of its history. This made the difference to our tour and to those attending. The history of the island and how the Irish were humanely treated after they had spent considerable time on cargo ships being delivered to the New World was an incredible story itself. The boat ride over (about 30 minutes) was very relaxing.
The food offerings are limited so I would recommend that you bring a lunch and enjoy the grounds.
The food offerings are limited so I would recommend that you bring a lunch and enjoy the grounds.
Written July 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ohque
Ottawa, Canada
Aug 2012 • Couples
The island is a Federal Park that is usually visited with an official guide. During a typical visit you will encounter actors playing real historic characters. You must take a boat to get to the island, from Berthier-sur-Mer near Montmagny or from Quebec City.
As the official website warns you, it is likely you will be moved by the story of Grosse Île, due to the human tragedy that happened on the island. You will relive the troubling experience of immigrants who were quarantined here. Thousands of them, mostly Irish, died here! One reviewer rated the experience as very painful. But perhaps we have a duty to remember. And there is beauty also...
The location, in the middle of the majestic Saint-Lawrence river, adds an element of intense beauty to the visit, which heightens the emotional experience by being so opposite to the sadness of the events that took place here.
As the official website warns you, it is likely you will be moved by the story of Grosse Île, due to the human tragedy that happened on the island. You will relive the troubling experience of immigrants who were quarantined here. Thousands of them, mostly Irish, died here! One reviewer rated the experience as very painful. But perhaps we have a duty to remember. And there is beauty also...
The location, in the middle of the majestic Saint-Lawrence river, adds an element of intense beauty to the visit, which heightens the emotional experience by being so opposite to the sadness of the events that took place here.
Written September 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat R
Regina, Canada
Oct 2016 • Couples
If you think Canada has no history - get to Grosse Isle. The guides are amazing. I teach a lot of this history as a professional genealogist, and the guides further educated me too! It's amazing. The place is soooo much more than I expected. I do have Irish ancestry, so there were many times I was swallowing tears. But my husband was equally affected with no Irish blood. Do it.
Written October 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
michaelvanturnhout
Dublin, Ireland
Sept 2019
This is an attraction with a difference. You can only get here via a boat trip, which includes access to the island, which is run by Parks Canada. The boat trip is by Croisières Lachance. We were there in September, and the little harbour at Berhier sur Mer was quite windy. There was on little shop with some nice souvenirs for sale (as well as the usual junk). The boat departed bang on time and was comfortable enough, with some helpful explanation of the main points of interest while en route.
On the island the group was divided in subgroups. We first went into the disinfection building which was constructed at the end of the 19th Century and through which all immigrants who were aboard a ship with a sick person among them had to pass.
We also went to the cemetery and Irish cross. This dates from the time of the famine, when the small quarantine station opened in 1832 (cholera epidemic) was overwhelmed and over 5,000 people died on the island alone.
Other areas we visited were the "hotels". The people mentioned at the start, who were not sick but someone on their ship was, were given a better treatment from the early twentieth century with three hotels, first, second and third class. Nowadays you would not want to stay in the first class hotel.
There is also a village, from the 1870's, to accommodate staff. And on the eastern part of the island the remains of a "fever shed" (to house Irish immigrants during the famine), later converted into a hospital.
It is clearly not an uplifting story, but very interesting and a different type of experience. Well worth it.
On the island the group was divided in subgroups. We first went into the disinfection building which was constructed at the end of the 19th Century and through which all immigrants who were aboard a ship with a sick person among them had to pass.
We also went to the cemetery and Irish cross. This dates from the time of the famine, when the small quarantine station opened in 1832 (cholera epidemic) was overwhelmed and over 5,000 people died on the island alone.
Other areas we visited were the "hotels". The people mentioned at the start, who were not sick but someone on their ship was, were given a better treatment from the early twentieth century with three hotels, first, second and third class. Nowadays you would not want to stay in the first class hotel.
There is also a village, from the 1870's, to accommodate staff. And on the eastern part of the island the remains of a "fever shed" (to house Irish immigrants during the famine), later converted into a hospital.
It is clearly not an uplifting story, but very interesting and a different type of experience. Well worth it.
Written October 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giannifox
Gatineau, Canada
Jul 2017 • Friends
I left for Grosse-Ile from the Montmagny area, and it was a lovely half-hour cruise to get there. Once you've arrived, you can choose from three short tours: the west side with the Memorial Cross, a train ride through the Old Village and to the old hospital, or the reception and disinfection ward. I did all three, and they all have their charms. For example, in the disinfection ward, two people dressed as a 19th-century doctor and nurse demonstrated how they checked the new arrivals for contagious diseases, and how they cleaned and disinfected the arrivals' clothes and belongings. There's also the school teacher, the parish priest, and an Irish guest of the first-class hotel on the island.
So if you are a big history buff, this is a must.
(P.S. No restaurants on the island; bring your own lunch.)
So if you are a big history buff, this is a must.
(P.S. No restaurants on the island; bring your own lunch.)
Written July 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada
Sept 2016 • Couples
We had to take a boat to reach the Grosse Ile. Once on the island, they examined us as in the olden days.
However in the old days, those who seemed sick were kept behind with their families. From a distance these homes look luxurious, but this was not the case!
All belongings had to be disinfected in big steam machines. The immigrants had to take a hot shower as well. To disinfect everything.
There was so much information and we were welcome to visit any building that was open!
My highlight was near the Celtic cross. Nearby were written all the people who died here.
There were even churches here.
We even had a walk in nature. There were boardwalks. We saw a heron landing nearby.
We learned quite a lot about Canada in those days. I am glad that this place is closed now for any immigrant reaching our borders. To me it was an eye-opener
However in the old days, those who seemed sick were kept behind with their families. From a distance these homes look luxurious, but this was not the case!
All belongings had to be disinfected in big steam machines. The immigrants had to take a hot shower as well. To disinfect everything.
There was so much information and we were welcome to visit any building that was open!
My highlight was near the Celtic cross. Nearby were written all the people who died here.
There were even churches here.
We even had a walk in nature. There were boardwalks. We saw a heron landing nearby.
We learned quite a lot about Canada in those days. I am glad that this place is closed now for any immigrant reaching our borders. To me it was an eye-opener
Written December 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rixodecimal
Sainte-Emelie-de-L'Energie, Canada
Jun 2016
This historic site is serviced, animated and maintained by the government of Canada as an historical monument of the Irish coming to Canada after the Irish Potato Famine of 1847. That famine, witch was the cause of death mainly from starvation, of over a million Irish.
That island was a quarantine for all immigrants coming to Canada. And for the Irish people, it was also the last place they would see after the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Irish to North America.
Definitely a must see
That island was a quarantine for all immigrants coming to Canada. And for the Irish people, it was also the last place they would see after the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of Irish to North America.
Definitely a must see
Written October 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
onvoyage_3
Peterborough, Canada
Jul 2013 • Family
Our visit was very interesting especially for history buffs, but it is quite a little investment with the boat over. I'm sure the upkeep is expensive so it's probably reasonable but we really debated whether it was worth it. In the end we're glad we went. This is a really important piece of history that is skimmed over at best in school curriculum.
Written September 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be staying in Quebec City and have a car for two days and want to visit surrounding country side. Wanted to get to this island easily - are there ways to get there from ports and ferries near montmorency side of river?
Written August 18, 2018
You can drive to Berthier-sur-Mer and take the tour boat from there. I highly recommend you book the tour online first to ensure you get tickets.
Written June 22, 2019
We will be coming into Montreal on a cruise and need advice to getting to Quebec City to stay overnight. We'd like to get a tour from hotel to Gross Island.
Written September 14, 2016
First it's Grosse-Ile (Big Island). As for hotels; if you're not too picky, there are plenty of small hotels in the Old City section. And there are tourist ships that go to Grosse-Ile, but it'll take an hour to get there.
Written July 18, 2017
what tour did you take?
We will be coming into Montreal and we can get to Quebec City--but could use some advice of where to stay overnight and catch a tour of Grosse Ille. My great-aunt is a Norwegian who died on the boat to Quebec and is buried in the Irish Cemetery.
Ady advice welcome!
Written September 14, 2016
If you're heading west, don't go straight to Quebec City; you'll have to take an hour-long cruise to Grosse-Ile. If you can, try to get accomodations in Montmagny or other villages along the river. The boat ride to Grosse-Ile will be much shorter.
They now have a memorial to everyone who died on the island: glass panels with glass panels on it. If you know the year your great-aunt died, you should be able to find her name.
Written July 18, 2017
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