Essential Great Lakes
They represent another American dream. A cruise on the Great American Lakes is all about getting to know the two iconic countries of North America, Canada and the US, intimately. Here are the sites not to be missed during your trip to four of these lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan.
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Essential Trips — The Great Lakes
In our imagination, the Great Lakes open onto infinite space. In fact, there are vast coniferous forests burnished with golden tones during the Indian summer, immense lakes interrupted by lush green islands and bays of turquoise water, rivers becoming torrential waterfalls... Before leaving for these legendary lands, here is some useful information.
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Explore Great American Lakes
Essential Great Lakes
They represent another American dream. A cruise on the Great American Lakes is all about getting to know the two iconic countries of North America, Canada and the US, intimately. Here are the sites not to be missed during your trip to four of these lakes: Ontario, Erie, Huron and Michigan.
Look over Niagara Falls
They are certainly the iconic site of this Great American Lake region. With a flow rate of 2,800 m3, the Niagara Falls are imposing in all their splendour. From Table Rock, a guided walk allows you to follow the crest of the Horseshoe Falls, one of the waterfalls that make up Niagara.
Discover the exciting life of Toronto — Canada
Toronto proudly sits on the banks of Lake Ontario. Canada's largest city knows how to draw travellers into its beating heart. With its lively streets, its different quarters with varied cultural influences, such as the Chinese and Polish quarters, Little India and Portugal Village, bars, restaurants and shops of all kinds elicit charm. To end this beautiful visit, climb to the top of the CN Tower and enjoy a 360° view over the city.
Stroll in Quebec — Canada
There is a particular pleasure to strolling in Quebec. The old fortified town is full of historic buildings such as the Château Frontenac and the imposing Citadelle. Wander through the paved streets of the Petit-Champlain quarter edged with bistros and restaurants, walk along the banks of the Saint Lawrence River, or cross the suspension bridge above Montmorency Falls at 83 metres high.
Cross the Welland Canal and the Port Colborne Lock
Less well-known than Panama, Suez and Corinth Canals, the Welland Canal is no less than a jewel of engineering. 42-km long and punctuated by eight locks, it links Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Sailing down this canal takes an even more impressive turn at Port Colborne where there is one of the longest locks in the world at 420 metres.
top at Flowerpot Island — Canada
Among the 30,000 islands making up Georgian Bay, Flowerpot Island is certainly one of the most extraordinary. It is part of the Fathom Five National Marine Park. The island gets its name and its reputation from two rock formations in the shape of a flower pot that stand over the crystal clear waters. However, people come here more for hiking trails leading to the lighthouse, allowing them to discover rare flora, and for swimming. The water is cold, the bed rocky and steep.
Fly over Georgian Bay by helicopter — Canada
You might think that you're in the Mediterranean, but the coniferous forest edging the cliffs that fall into turquoise waters remind you that you're in Canada. On the northeast branch of Lake Huron, Georgian Bay has the clearest waters of the Great Lakes. To admire these incredible landscapes, nothing is better than a helicopter tour. Isolated creeks with sheer drops, lush vegetation clothed with golden tones in autumn... the scenery is exceptional!
Horse riding in Honora Bay — Canada
At the north of Georgian Bay, in Honora Bay, Manitoulin Island is a real delight with its tree-filled landscapes, waterfalls, calm waters and houses edging the lake. Choosing to roam through this landscape on horseback is about getting off the beaten track, through forests, fields and over hills, meandering along the Niagara, with a stunning view over the La Cloche Mountains. It's also the opportunity to see white-tailed deer, foxes, hares and even bald eagles.
Essential Trips — The Great Lakes
In our imagination, the Great Lakes open onto infinite space. In fact, there are vast coniferous forests burnished with golden tones during the Indian summer, immense lakes interrupted by lush green islands and bays of turquoise water, rivers becoming torrential waterfalls... Before leaving for these legendary lands, here is some useful information.
Helpful tips
Things to do. Civility and calmness are the values that are much appreciated in Canada and the USA. If you are not satisfied with a service, it is best not to shout, but to try to find a solution through discussion.
Don'ts. In Canada, smoking is forbidden in all public places such as parks, cafés, and restaurant terraces.
Unique features
The Georgian Bay includes no less than 30,000 islands, which makes it the largest freshwater archipelago in the world.
Essential phrases
Bonjour / bonsoir : Good morning / Good evening
Au revoir : How are you?
Bienvenue : Welcome
Excusez-moi / s’il vous plaît : Excuse me / Please
Merci : Thank you
Oui / non : yes / no
Comment allez-vous ? : How are you?
Très bien, merci, et vous : Fine, thank you, and you?
Je m’appelle… : My name is...
Gastronomy
Impossible de visiter l’Ontario sans goûter au sirop d’érable, produit dans la région depuis des siècles. Grand territoire agricole, l’Ontario fournit des légumes et des fruits de qualité. Parmi eux, les pêches servent à la conception de beignets fort appréciés. Côté salé, la poutine québécoise, ces frites recouvertes de fromage et d’un jus de viande, a fait son chemin jusque sur les bords des Grands Lacs. Dans les grandes villes comme Toronto, la culture culinaire reflète les vagues d’immigration successives. Saveurs françaises et britanniques restent ancrées dans la tradition.
Myths & legends
Although dream-catchers have a more decorative function today, they have a real significance for the Ojibwes from the Lake Huron region. Legend has it that the first dream-catcher was woven by a spider, the reincarnation of a young boy's grandmother whose tribe suffered from famine following a curse struck by an evil spirit. Hung at the entrance of his house, it filtered out the nightmares, allowing only good omens to pass through it. From then on, abundance returned to the village, saving the inhabitants from famine.
In the spotlight
Since the 1980s, the USA and Canada have partnered in a common effort to decontaminate the banks of the Great Lakes, especially in the most populated areas, such as Toronto. Purification plans and pollution prevention have transformed these zones from “areas unfavourable to economic growth into residential areas, which are precious economic assets”, as noted the International Association for Great Lakes Research. In a report published in August 2019, the economic benefit was calculated as more than 4 billion dollars.
Culture
Books. Sturgeon Falls (Ontario), in the 1960s. In French: Albert and Paul-André, two friends, acquire a notebook with a green canvas cover, which will become their shared diary. The two teenagers write down their feelings in it, and also their perception of a changing world. An autobiographical fiction by Gaston Trembley, Le Grand Livre traces the memories that the author has of this period of research into his own life, which provide a glimpse into the trajectories of these two future adults. With his friend, André Paiement, the author is one of the most prominent figures in Franco-Ontarian literature.
Native Americans, explorers, gold hunters, immigrants, warriors, entrepreneurs... They have all made their mark on the history of the Great Lakes, inspired by the history and carried by the myths and legends. In Great Lakes Folklore: Legends of the Five Sisters, Charles Cassady, Jr. relates the most important tales.
Music. In summer and in autumn, the Native Americans organise pow wows. During these gatherings, which are open to the public, each tribe wears traditional costume and shares dances, songs, culinary specialities and crafts with each other. This is a wonderful way to discover cultures that are often little-known.
Film. Ben, a thirty-something man, is disillusioned with his work as a teacher, but his peaceful life is suddenly turned upside down with a shocking cancer diagnosis. Shaken by the news, he decides to buy a motorbike and take to the road for seven days from Toronto to Vancouver. In One Week, Michael McGowan poetically portrays the great Canadian outdoors, leaving you longing to discover it.
Facts and figures
18The five Great American Lakes contain The five Great American Lakes contain 18% of the world's reserves of freshwater. This is the largest surface freshwater reservoir on the planet. of the world's reserves of freshwater. This is the largest surface freshwater reservoir on the planet.
