Île Bonfoin – Gateway to Montreal’s Grand Parc de l'Est
Île Bonfoin – Gateway to Montreal’s Grand Parc de l'Est, QC (Photo by Claude Duchaîne)
Peaceful and teeming with life. That's how you might describe Île Bonfoin, located at the eastern end of the island of Montreal, on the Rivière des Prairies.
This haven of biodiversity, protected by the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), is accessible to nature lovers. The island is a gateway to the Grand Parc de l'Est, announced by the City of Montreal on November 13, 2023. It can be accessed by non-motorized watercraft and offers superb views of the Rivière des Prairies and the St. Lawrence River, as well as their islands and banks.
From seigniory to nature reserve
Given its enviable location, it's no surprise that Île Bonfoin has been prized over the centuries. Together with its two neighbours, Serre and Bourdon islands, it forms an ancient seigniory: the Bourdon Fief (feudal land). Although the surrounding area has become urbanized over time, the island and its meadow, which is used for grazing, have remained largely untouched by human activity.
Since 2004, Île Bonfoin has belonged to the City of Montreal and NCC. Recognized as a private nature reserve, no construction is permitted on the island.
An area of global importance
Île Bonfoin is part of a network of islands protected by NCC and our partners in the area. Rich in natural habitat, it is home to an aquatic species found nowhere else in the world: copper redhorse. This fish is found in only a few rivers in southwestern Quebec, swimming in the aquatic grass beds that border the islands. This species is listed as endangered in Canada and threatened in Quebec.
The islands protected by NCC are part of an Important Bird Area. This designation, recognized by the international community, covers sites that are essential for bird life. The islands are home to a number of endangered bird species, including short-eared owl, bobolink and bank swallow.
The Grand Parc de l’Est
Observation platform,Île-Bonfoin Nature Reserve (Photo by BC2)
Île Bonfoin is part of Grand Parc de l'Est, a regional park created by the City of Montreal and its partners, including NCC.
The park stretches from Île Bonfoin in the east to 63rd Avenue in the Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough in the West, and from Rivière des Prairies in the north to the St. Lawrence River in the south.
The park was created to protect the area's biodiversity and give the public an opportunity to connect with nature. With its footpaths, observation platforms and interpretation panels, Île Bonfoin is the perfect place to explore, marvel and enjoy the benefits of nature.
Thank you to our partners:
- Fondation Hydro-Québec pour l'environnement
- Government of Quebec
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife/NAWCA
- S.C. Johnson
- Mountain Equipment Company
- Government of Canada
- Age of Union
Did you know?
Île Bonfoin is home to a large number of animal and plant species, including map turtle, which is designated as vulnerable in Quebec.
Four NCC-protected islands east of Montréal are accessible to nature lovers:
- Île Bonfoin (Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles borough on the island of Montreal)
- Île à l'Aigle and Île aux Cerfeuils (Repentigny)
- Île Beauregard (Verchères)
NCC protects a number of lands on these islands, part of our network of accessible sites inviting the public to explore some of Canada’s most beautiful natural landscapes.
