Discover the wonders of Charlevoix, Quebec
In Charlevoix, mountain and sea combine to form a setting that can only be described as spellbinding.
A succession of capes and outcroppings flank the coast like so many sentinels guarding the river. Villages nestle cosily at the foot of the mountains or in peaceful coves. Beyond the road, fertile fields are interspersed with stunning glimpses of the backcountry peaks.
For generations, artists have sought to express the unique mixture of serenity and grandeur that characterizes the terrain. A resort destination par excellence, the Charlevoix region combines year-round quality accommodations with an unusual range of outdoor activities. There’s also plenty of room for culture, like the Festival International du Domaine Forget, a major event that allies classical music and jazz.
Charlevoix can thank a meteorite that fell to Earth some 350 million years ago, on what is today the site of the village Les Éboulements, for its magnificent geography. In 1988, a large part of the region was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In this jealously guarded territory, two national parks are a haven for nature lovers: Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie, where deep valleys slice through imposing peaks; and Parc national des Grands-Jardins, land of taiga, tundra and caribou.
With two sky-high hiking trails - the Sentier des caps (headland trail) and the Traversée de Charlevoix (Charlevoix crossing) - the region is heaven for hikers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers. The famous Le Massif ski hill, which boasts the highest vertical drop east of the Canadian Rockies, has a popular lodge right on the river! Mont-Grand-Fonds is another favourite among ski buffs and tube slide fans.
There’s much to admire on the St. Lawrence Route, which links Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, boarding point for the ferry to oh-so-pastoral Île aux Coudres. There, you can wheel around on a bicycle, tour the island’s 19th-century water mill and windmill and marvel at the glorious pageant presented by the coastline.
The Route des Saveurs (“flavour trail”) is a gastronomic voyage of discovery with one regional specialty after another. From Saint-Siméon or Baie-Sainte-Catherine, head off to do some whale watching at the Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park. Then, revitalized by the sea air, try your luck at the casino or stop by the neighbouring golf course that - like much of the Charlevoix - enjoys a superb view of the river.
For more information go to bonjourquebec.com.
