A marine community with its own sailing school, the village of L 'Islet (which was first named Bonsecours) is comprised of two areas. Islet-sur-Mer houses older heritage buildings and stretches along the Saint-Lawrence River. Saint-Eugène-de-l'Islet is scattered across the marine terrace a few kilometers to the south, across from highway 20. This area features many interesting architectural groupings within a typically agricultural setting.

In Islet-sur-Mer, stroll along the main road, (rue principale), which is beautifully lined in traditional houses, along the river's edge with grounds that gently border the water, welcoming the ebb and flow of the tides. Note the two dominant buildings, the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Bon-Secours, a registered historical building, and the Maritime Museum of Quebec (Musée maritime du Québec).

In the village centre, the rue du Quai (a street name found in virtually every town that borders the Saint Lawrence) leads to a small natural cove that is protected by the quay and which serves as a shelter for small boats. From here, enjoy the gentle water landscape unfolding before your eyes: the sand bars, the rounded edges of Charlevoix on the opposing bank, and the faint silhouette of the island of Île-aux-Oies, which is just barely visible through the fog. An ideal spot for a picnic, come here to enjoy the lightshow on the ever-changing river.