Have you heard of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, which has been part of the Canadian parks system managed by Parks Canada for over 40 years? Located near the coast in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, between the villages of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and Aguanish, in Côte-Nord, the archipelago is made up of over a thousand islands, islets and reefs. The park reserve is famous for being home to the largest concentration of erosion monoliths in Canada as well as a multitude of other natural and cultural treasures, including exceptional wildlife and a wide variety of plants. The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve was also selected as one of “52 Places to Go in 2024” by the prestigious New York Times.

Rocks over 465 million years old

So what are monoliths? The word monolith comes from the Ancient Greek words mónos (meaning “one” or “single”) and líthos (meaning “stone”). A monolith is therefore a geological feature consisting of a single upright rock or stone that’s usually tall and narrow. To help you understand how these natural monuments are created, we’re sharing the recipe for making the most beautiful monoliths below!

Ingredients

• Limestone sediment (made up of marine debris including shells and other marine organisms)
• Lots of water

Instructions

• Place limestone sediment in a relatively warm body of water.
• Leave to stand for a few hundred million years until solidified into rock.
• Shake vigorously to cause deformations in the rock strata and create a network of fissures.
• Freeze for about 80,000 years to form a glacier.
• Let the whole thing sink under the weight of the ice.
• Melt the ice and gradually allow the water to recede over a period of about 7000 years. (This is a critical step!)
• Watch as the frost splits the rock and widens cracks, which will then allow water to shape the resulting monolith through gradual erosion.

And there you have it! You now know how monoliths are made! All you need to remember is that you’re dealing with 465-million-year-old limestone sedimentary rock, which had to be subjected to the elements over a long period of time in order to erode into monoliths.

Unusual shapes

While science and natural phenomena explain the erosion of rock into monoliths, local poet Roland Jomphe had fun identifying the shapes of animals, people and objects in these limestone monuments. Here are a few of them, which can be discovered on Niapiskau Island in the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve.

Dolphin and wedding cake :

Scotsman and Eagle :

There’s also the famous “Lady of Niapisca”… Can you find her?

Magnificent scenery

The Mingan Islands are renowned for the beauty of their monoliths and cliffs shaped by the elements. To get to the park reserve, you’ll need to take a boat. Several private boat operators are recognized by Parks Canada, including Famille Loiselle, which offers excursions departing from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan and Havre-Saint-Pierre.

From Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, you can reach the following islands:

• Île aux Perroquets
• Île Nue de Mingan
• Grande Île
• Quarry Island

From Havre-Saint-Pierre, you can reach the following islands:

• Grande Île
• Quarry Island
• Niapiskau Island
• Île du Fantôme
• Havre Island
• Grosse Île au Marteau
• Petite Île au Marteau
• Islands in the eastern sector of the park reserve

The Mingan Archipelago is a great place to spend time relaxing in nature. Whether you want to go for a hike, a boat trip or a sea kayaking excursion, there’s something for everyone! Take advantage of your visit to the archipelago to observe marine mammals, seabirds and various plant species as you explore a multitude of natural habitats, including the shoreline, the boreal forest and peatbogs. Extend your stay by falling asleep to the sound of the waves in one of the park reserve’s many accommodations: Ôasis glamping units, oTENTik tents, campsites or rooms in a lighthouse station.

For a truly unique experience, be sure to visit the various sectors of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve during your next trip to Côte-Nord. Once you’ve been here, you’ll want to come back again and again!