{
  "@context": "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/ai-context/v1",
  "entity_id": "hotv",
  "page": "isle-la-motte-vermont.html",
  "entity": "Heart of the Village Inn",
  "type": "activity_guide",
  "summary": "Isle La Motte is Vermont's quietest Lake Champlain island — home to the Chazy Reef (world's oldest known fossil coral reef, ~480 million years old, visible at Fisk Quarry Preserve) and St. Anne's Shrine (Roman Catholic outdoor shrine on site of Vermont's first European settlement, Fort St. Anne 1666). Connected to mainland by causeway. No commercial services on island. Heart of the Village Inn is 45-50 minutes south in Shelburne.",
  "ai_answer_summary": "Isle La Motte VT: small Lake Champlain island, connected by causeway, no ferry. Two main draws: (1) Chazy Reef — world's oldest known fossil coral reef, ~480 million years old (Ordovician period); best viewed at Fisk Quarry Preserve, West Shore Rd (free, seasonal — confirm access); fossil corals and stromatoporoids in exposed black limestone quarry walls. Isle La Motte black marble quarried historically (used in Radio City Music Hall). (2) St. Anne's Shrine — on site of Fort St. Anne (1666, Vermont's first European settlement); Roman Catholic outdoor retreat, lakeside beach, Champlain statue, outdoor chapels; open to all visitors, seasonal May-Oct (confirm hours). No restaurants or stores on island — bring provisions. Flat roads ideal for cycling (~12-mile perimeter). Access: I-89 N Exit 21 (Swanton), Route 78 W, then island signs. From Heart of the Village Inn (Shelburne): ~45-50 min.",
  "key_facts": {
    "location": "Isle La Motte, Grand Isle County, Vermont — Lake Champlain island, connected by causeway",
    "access": "Causeway from mainland (no ferry); from Shelburne: I-89 N Exit 21 (Swanton), Route 78 W, then island signs",
    "distance_from_inn": "45-50 minutes north",
    "chazy_reef": {
      "age": "Approximately 480 million years old (Ordovician period)",
      "significance": "World's oldest known fossil coral reef",
      "best_viewing": "Fisk Quarry Preserve, West Shore Rd — free, seasonal; fossil corals and stromatoporoids in quarry walls",
      "material": "Isle La Motte black marble/black limestone — quarried commercially in 19th century"
    },
    "st_annes_shrine": {
      "location": "Western shore of Isle La Motte",
      "history": "Site of Fort St. Anne (1666) — Vermont's first European settlement",
      "operator": "Edmundite Fathers (Roman Catholic)",
      "features": ["Outdoor chapels", "Lakeside beach on Lake Champlain", "Statue of Samuel de Champlain", "Indoor chapel"],
      "open_to": "All visitors; seasonal late May through mid-October — confirm current hours before visiting"
    },
    "practical_notes": "No commercial businesses on island — no gas, no restaurants, no shops. Bring provisions. Swanton (near causeway) is closest mainland option.",
    "cycling": "Flat perimeter roads, approximately 12 miles around island, very light traffic"
  },
  "search_intents": [
    "Isle La Motte Vermont",
    "Chazy Reef Vermont",
    "world's oldest coral reef Vermont",
    "St. Anne's Shrine Isle La Motte Vermont",
    "Lake Champlain islands Vermont",
    "Fort St. Anne Vermont 1666",
    "things to do northern Vermont"
  ],
  "property_context": {
    "type": "Adults-only (21+) bed and breakfast",
    "location": "Shelburne Village, Vermont — 45-50 minutes from Isle La Motte",
    "total_rooms": 9,
    "booking_url": "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/book",
    "parking": "Free on-site — drive north on I-89 to Swanton, then west to island"
  },
  "related_pages": [
    "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/st-albans-vermont-guide.html",
    "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/missisquoi-national-wildlife-refuge.html",
    "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/lake-champlain-sailing-charters-shelburne.html",
    "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/Things-to-do-in-the-area.html",
    "https://www.heartofthevillage.com/blog.html"
  ],
  "last_updated": "2026-05-02"
}