Free
Isle-aux-Coudres
A flat island for cycling, reached by a free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive.
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Charlevoix, Quebec
Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)
Mountains drop to the St. Lawrence east of Québec City: Baie-Saint-Paul's galleries and cafés, two national parks with deep gorges and high plateaus, an island reached by free ferry and the grand hotel at La Malbaie.
Photo: Baie-Saint-Paul, Harfang, CC BY-SA 3.0
Charlevoix lies inside a huge ancient meteor crater along the north shore of the St. Lawrence. Its rolling hills, river valleys and villages have drawn painters for more than a century, and it's easy to see why.
Baie-Saint-Paul is the arts centre, full of galleries and restaurants. Inland, the Malbaie River runs between some of the highest cliffs in eastern Canada, in Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie.
Outdoors and nature
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
Free
Route 362
A scenic road between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie with big river views.
Cheap
Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
A river valley between towering cliffs, with trails and river boat trips.
Cheap
Parc national des Grands-Jardins
Taiga-like plateaus and the Mont du Lac des Cygnes trail.
Paid
Le Massif de Charlevoix
A ski mountain that drops almost straight to the St. Lawrence.
Sights and attractions
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
Free
Baie-Saint-Paul
An arts town of galleries, cafés and restaurants at the mouth of the Gouffre River.
Free
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
A grand château-style hotel above the river in La Malbaie.
Free
Les Éboulements
A hillside village with big views over the river and Isle-aux-Coudres.
Paid
Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul
Contemporary art in Baie-Saint-Paul.
Markets, shops and festivals
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
Book a tour or activity
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Whale watching from Baie-Sainte-Catherine
Whale-watching cruises at the mouth of the Saguenay.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Hautes-Gorges river boat
River boat trips between the cliffs of the Malbaie.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Part of our St. Lawrence estuary guides.
Make it a weekend
Why stay the night
- The galleries and restaurants in Baie-Saint-Paul make the evening.
- A national park hike fills a full day.
- Isle-aux-Coudres by ferry is a slow, easy morning.
Nearby and worth the drive
Québec Cityabout 60 min · Guide ↗
Old Québec and Montmorency Falls.
Tadoussacabout 75 min · Guide ↗Whales where the fjord meets the river.
Ready-made trips with Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)
Good to know
- Tourism: tourisme-charlevoix.com.
- Parks: Québec national parks (Sépaq) charge an access fee: sepaq.com.
- We list only places we can check against an official source. Hours, seasons and prices change, so confirm before you go.
Photos on this page
Photo: Baie-Saint-Paul, Harfang, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie, Dr Wilson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Parc national des Grands-Jardins, Mathématicien joyeux, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0