The Magdalens are typified by a gentle way of life conditioned by remoteness, the whims of the sea and the dramatic interplay of sun, sand and surf. Residents who go to the mainland for jobs or schooling typically find their way back, while numerous vacationers repeatedly return until they make the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence their home.
Sunsets capture the magic when they set the islands' signature red cliffs on fire.
And so do chilly, misty mornings when the wind whips the waves. To live amidst this dramatic beauty, islanders ply trades that range from cheesemaking to glass blowing. In La Grave, a quaint fishing village on the southernmost island, artist Daniel Gautier adds final touches to his current creation. A book that featured the Magdalens in its description of the world's most beautiful islands inspired Daniel to visit them. After vacationing here for 15 years, the Montreal native permanently moved to the village where he paints about 100 oils a year.