This chapter on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine is taken from the Ulysses guide to Québec. Rising from the Gulf of St. Lawrence more than 200km from the Gaspé Peninsula, the Îles de la Madeleine (or Magadelen Islands) constitute a 65km-long archipelago of about a dozen islands, many of which connected to one another by long sand dunes. Swept by winds from the open sea, these small islands offer superb, colourful scenery. The golden dunes and long, untouched beaches blend with the red sandstone cliffs and the blue sea. Villages with brightly painted houses, lighthouses and harbours add the finishing touches to the islands' beautiful scenery. The islands' residents live on seven of the archipelago's islands - Île de la Grande Entrée, Grosse-Île, Île aux Loups, Île du Havre aux Maisons, Île du Cap aux Meules, Île du Havre Aubert and Île d'Entrée. This Ulysses guide provides all the information on Charlevoix's charming villages, attractions, restaurants, shops, inns, bed and breakfasts, hotels and outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing, whale watching and kayaking.