Quebec · Canada

Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

Mountains that drop down to the Saint Lawrence River, villages of artists and generous tables, and two national parks, about an hour and a half from Quebec City.

Quebec

In the photo: Baie-Saint-Paul bay, in Charlevoix

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Charlevoix is the region on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence River between Quebec City and the Saguenay fjord. The Laurentian Mountains reach the riverbank there, where the river is already as wide as an arm of the sea and has salt water, tides and, farther east in summer, whales.

The landscape was shaped by a meteorite impact about 450 million years ago, which left a crater more than 50 km in diameter between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie. For its beauty and for the relationship between residents and the environment, UNESCO recognized Charlevoix as a biosphere reserve.

Baie-Saint-Paul, in the valley of the Gouffre River, is a village of art galleries and studios where Cirque du Soleil was born. La Malbaie, farther east, was a summer destination for wealthy families since the 19th century. Between the two are riverside villages, the island of Isle-aux-Coudres and the Le Massif ski mountain, with slopes that descend toward the river.

Inland are the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national parks. The region is known for the Route des Saveurs, a circuit of producers of cheeses, ciders, meats and charcuterie.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Baie-Saint-Paul, La Malbaie.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie is

Boundaries: Statistics Canada (Statistics Canada Open Licence) / geoBoundaries. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

✈ Aéroport international Jean-Lesage de Québec (YQB), in Québec · 110 km to Baie-Saint-Paul

From Jean-Lesage Airport in Quebec City (YQB), Baie-Saint-Paul is about 110 km via Route 138, and La Malbaie about 150 km. In summer and autumn, the Train de Charlevoix links the Quebec region to Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie along the riverfront.

Suggested arrival point: Baie-Saint-Paul

Quebec · Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie Suggested arrival point

Baie-Saint-Paul

Village in the valley of the Gouffre River, where it meets the Saint Lawrence, surrounded by mountains. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street concentrates art galleries, studios and restaurants, and the village is the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil. Nearby are Grands-Jardins National Park, Le Massif mountain and the ferry to Isle-aux-Coudres.

Quebec · Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

La Malbaie

Town at the mouth of the Malbaie River on the Saint Lawrence that includes Pointe-au-Pic, a 19th-century summer resort with mansions and the Charlevoix Museum. It is the base for Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park and for the village of Port-au-Persil, on the road that continues to Tadoussac.

The local experience

Things to do in Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

La Malbaie · Quebec · National park

Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park

Quebec national park in a gorge valley with cliffs over 700 meters, crossed by the Malbaie River, offering boats, canoes and the Acropole des Draveurs trail.

Baie-Saint-Paul · Quebec · Historic centre

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street

Main street of Baie-Saint-Paul, with old wooden and stone houses that house art galleries, studios, cafés and restaurants.

La Malbaie · Quebec · Museum

Musée de Charlevoix

Regional museum in Pointe-au-Pic about the history, folk art and life of Charlevoix residents, with views of the Saint Lawrence.

Baie-Saint-Paul · Quebec · National park

Grands-Jardins National Park

A national park in Quebec on the plateau above Baie-Saint-Paul, with taiga and boreal forest, lakes and the trail to Mont du Lac des Cygnes.

See 3 more places in Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

Baie-Saint-Paul · Quebec · Island

Île-aux-Coudres

A rural island in the St. Lawrence River opposite Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, with a roughly 23 km road around it, old mills, chapels and mountain views.

La Malbaie · Quebec · Village

Port-au-Persil

Small village in a rocky Saint Lawrence cove, 25 km from La Malbaie, with a white wooden chapel by the water and a waterfall.

Baie-Saint-Paul · Quebec · Mountain resort

Le Massif de Charlevoix

A ski mountain on the St. Lawrence with about 770 meters of vertical drop and runs that descend toward the river.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September for the parks, the villages and the tourist train. In autumn, the maple trees on the slopes usually turn red between late September and mid-October. From December to March, snow and skiing at Le Massif.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days: one in Baie-Saint-Paul, one on Isle-aux-Coudres or in a national park, and one in La Malbaie and the Hautes-Gorges.

Which city to stay in

Baie-Saint-Paul has inns and hotels in the center, near the galleries. La Malbaie and Pointe-au-Pic have riverfront lodging. Isle-aux-Coudres and the villages along Route 362, such as Les Éboulements, have small inns and rental houses.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

How many days to stay in Charlevoix?

Three days for Baie-Saint-Paul, La Malbaie and a national park. You can do a day trip from Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul, but the region deserves more time.

Do you need a car in Charlevoix?

Yes. The tourist train connects the villages in summer and autumn, but the parks, viewpoints and producers are spread out.

What is the Route des Saveurs of Charlevoix?

A circuit of local producers, such as cheesemakers, cideries and farms, that welcome visitors for tasting and sales.

How does the Train de Charlevoix work?

It is a tourist train that runs along the river between the Quebec City region, Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, generally from June to October. Check the season for the year.

What time zone is Charlevoix in?

The same as Quebec City: UTC−5, and UTC−4 from March to November.

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Charlevoix (Canada): Baie-Saint-Paul; La Malbaie

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip