Renamed in 2007. The island we see before us is \u00celot de la Baronnie. It is a place steeped in history. Before 2007 it was known as \u00cele Verte. The name change honored the Barony of Longueuil.
\u00celot de la Baronnie sits in the Saint Lawrence River. It is northeast of Montreal. This islet is part of the Boucherville Islands in the Hochelaga Archipelago.
Charles Le Moyne named Longueuil after his mother’s hometown. It was Longueil in Normandy. His father ran an inn there before coming to New France in 1641.
King Louis XIV granted the Barony of Longueuil to Charles II Le Moyne in 1700. This recognized Le Moyne’s service. The land originally was granted to Charles Le Moyne in 1657. It was then known as the Seigniory of Longueuil.
Originally, \u00celot de la Baronnie comprised three small separate islands. Over time they naturally merged. Today the islet is about 1500 meters long and 175 meters wide. Its total area is 17.8 hectares. It peaks at 9 meters above the river level.
The Le Moyne family used the islands for eel fishing in New France. These islands were part of the Seigniory of Longueuil. Charles Le Moyne founded it in 1657.
In the 19th century, tenant families became owners of \u00cele Verte. These families included the Dubucs. Also the Bourdons, Fourniers and Viaus.
The federal port authorities of Montreal acquired the island in 1960. When the Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville was created in 1984, Île Verte was not included. Discussions continue about transferring the island to the park’s administration.
In 2007 the Sociéte historique et culturelle du Marigot led by historian Michel Pratt officially renamed it \u00celot de la Baronnie. This commemorated the history of Longueuil.
\u00celot de la Baronnie is grassy with few trees. Like other Boucherville Islands not in the national park it is a hunting location. Hunting waterfowl is allowed with a permit from the province of Quebec. The Montreal port authorities have been trying to ban hunting since 2020.
The island’s flooded grasslands make it a prime fish spawning ground. The Montreal Port Authority is working to preserve this habitat. They are creating spawning areas and improving the habitat. This work is part of a larger effort to create a National Wildlife Reserve in the Boucherville Islands. The port authority owns these islands.
So, as we stand here, remember the layers of history beneath our feet. From fishing grounds to a baronial tribute \u00celot de la Baronnie stands as a testament to Montreal’s rich past and evolving present.