| Harrington
Harbour |
|
| POPULATION:
300 |
| WHAT TO KNOW |
Rightfully
named one of the thirty most beautiful villages in Quebec, Harrington
Harbour looks much like a traditional fishing outport in Newfoundland.
A distinctive boardwalk winds through the community past colourful
wooden houses. The village is huddled on one side of a small, rocky
island, looking out to sea. There are no roads and no cars - only
pedestrians, bikes and all-terrain vehicles. |
Harrington
Harbour was originally settled by Newfoundland families in search
of fish stocks in the second half of the 19th century. Dr. Wilfred
Grenfell, founder of the famous medical mission in the region, visited
Harrington Harbour starting in the late 19th century. Grenfell built
a hospital on the island, earning the village its nickname of Hospital
Island. Today, fishing is still the main activity, with a bustling
public wharf and fish plant.
MAROONED!
In the 1540s, Marguerite de la Roque, niece of French
explorer Sieur de Roberval, accompanied her uncle on a voyage to
Canada. |
Harrington Harbour |
When she
fell in love aboard ship, Roberval flew into a rage and marooned
her and her maid on an island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. When
Marguerite’s suitor and maid died onshore, she was left alone
to survive, fighting hunger, cold, and wild animals. Miraculously,
she flagged down a passing fishing ship and returned safely to France.
No one knows exactly where Marguerite was stranded, but much evidence
and oral history points to Harrington Harbour. |
WHAT
TO SEE |
|
-
Rowsell House Interpretation
Centre
The Rowsell House is the best place to start your visit of Harrington
Harbour. Located in one of the first houses built on the island
of Harrington Harbour, the Rowsell House Interpretation Centre
interprets the cultural and natural heritage of this charming
community and its surrounding archipelago.
Models, panels and local artifacts interpret traditional activities,
fishing, and local history.
|
Rowsell House |
The Centre also houses original documents and
memorabilia relating to Dr. Grenfell, the famous medical missionary
who served the region beginning in the late 1800s. Staff
can provide information on what to see in the village, including
guided tours to historic sites. Various postcards, maps, publications
and DVDs are on sale at the Centre. Open seasonally from Monday
to Friday, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 pm, and Saturday from 4:00 p.m. -
7:00 pm, and upon request.
Harrington Harbour, Quebec, G0G 1N0
Contact: Harrington Harbour Tourism Association
Tel: (418) 795-3131
E-mail: [email protected]
|
- Marguerite’s Cave: According
to local lore, Marguerite de la Roque took shelter in this small
rocky cave while marooned on the island in the 16th century. Arrange
a guided tour through the Rowsell House Interpretation Centre.
- Jacques Cartier monument:
This monument commemorates the famous the French explorer’s
passage in the area in 1535. Walk up the path to the monument
for a sweeping view of surrounding islands, whales and icebergs.
- Christ Church:
This attractive wooden church was built in 1952.
- Schooner Island:
On Schooner Island, you can visit the remains of a seal foundry
where seal fishermen used to render seal blubber into oil. Hire
a boat taxi to explore Schooner Island and other outer
Harrington Islands, where residents used to move every
summer to be closer to the fishing grounds.
- Aylmer Sound:
This tiny hamlet is only accessible by boat at high tide. You
can get there by boat taxi. Visit the United
Community Church and its historic bell that survived
two fires – one in Nova Scotia in the late 1890s, and the
other in Harrington Harbour in 1973.
|
Harrington |
- St.
Mary Islands Migratory Bird Sanctuary: The St. Mary
Islands sanctuary is situated 23 kilometres (14 miles) southwest
of Harrington Harbour. This sanctuary has the highest density
of seabirds along the Coast. The Common Murre is the most abundant
nesting species here. Other seabirds include the Razorbill,
Atlantic Puffin, Black Guillemot, Black-legged Kittiwake and Common
Eider. Red-throated Loons also nest on many of the islands.
Killer Whales have been spotted on occasion surrounding the island.
|
| WHAT TO DO |
IN
SUMMER : Hiking and walking, bird and whale watching, iceberg
viewing, boat tours, sea kayaking, berry-picking, salmon fishing,
wilderness camping, ATV
- Community Boardwalks and
guided tour: This island community
has no roads and is linked completely by wooden boardwalks.
Take a walk around the village where you will meet up with residents
and discuss local stories and legends. Local tour guides
will also be thrilled to take you to the sites where various scenes
from the Quebec hit movie Seducing Doctor Lewis
were filmed in 2004. Visit the Jacques Cartier monument, Marguerite’s
Cave and the Rowsell House Interpretation Centre, or climb to
the top of a hill on the island and marvel at the incredible landscape
that surrounds you.
IN WINTER : Snowmobiling, ice fishing,
snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter carnival, hockey tournaments
|
| WHERE TO STAY |
- La Maison de Amy - Amy's Boarding House
Harrington Harbour (QC)
G0G 1N0
Tel : (418) 795-3376
Fax : (418) 795-3176
- La Maison de Jean - Jean's House
Harrington Harbour (QC)
G0G 1N0
Tel: (418) 795-3354
Fax: (418) 795-3297
|
| RESTAURANTS |
- Harbour Side Bar & Restaurant
Harrington Harbour (QC)
G0G 1N0
Tel: (418) 795-3251
|
| CRAFT SHOPS |
- Amy’s Bed and Breakfast
- Rowsell House Interpretation Centre
|
| TAXI BOAT |
- Bryce Anderson, Harrington Harbour
Harrington Harbour (QC)
G0G 1N0
Tel: (418) 795-3230
Contracted by Transport Quebec, this taxi water service makes
four trips per day between the communities of Harrington Harbour
and Chevery (seasonal service).
|
| BOAT TOURS |
- Calvin Ransom.
Harrington Harbour QC G0G 1N0
Phone: 418-795-3257
|
| OTHER SERVICES |
- Ransom & Rowsell - General
store
Harrington Harbour QC G0G 1N0
Phone: 418-795-3332
Fax: 418-795-3397
- CMR Sales - General Store &
Gas
Harrington Harbour QC G0G 1N0
Phone: 418-795-3373
Fax: 418-795-3223
|
| SUGGESTED ROUTES |
Navigator's Route,
Route blanche and One
Land, Many Peoples |
|
