MUST-SEE FOR A SHORT GETAWAY IN CHARLEVOIX

Article published at: Aug 27, 2018 Article author: Veronique Marin Article tag: Destinations
INCONTOURNABLES POUR UNE COURTE ESCAPADE DANS CHARLEVOIX
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The Charlevoix region has a lot to offer: Vast national parks, picturesque villages, interesting agrotourism, scenic drives and unique whale watching marine parks.

We decided for this getaway to make the city of La Malbaie our base camp. If you are a camper like us, you will probably enjoy a central location in the area without having to move your equipment too frequently.

We chose Camping Chutes Fraser. For more information on this little gem of camping, go and read my full article on the subject.

Camping au Bord de la Rivière more family-oriented as well as Villas et Camping des Érables which offers a view of the River, are other options that seem to me very interesting.

For those who like the more rustic camping, the Parc national des Hautes Gorges-de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie offers several land without services and 7 sites for RV with services.

La Malbaie

The city is famous for its Casino and its large selection of restaurants owned by renowned chefs.

Located in the backcountry, Parc national des Hautes Gorges-de-la-Rivière‑Malbaie. offers many hiking trails including the popular Acropole des draveurs trail. The view at the top is stunning but the climb is demanding.

Have you heard about the meteoric crater of the Charlevoix region? Learn about the origin of known meteorites and craters on our globe and how we counteract them at the Observatoire Astronomique de Charlevoix. Experience unforgettable moments under a starry sky during an evening of observation of the stars.

Westbound: from La Malbaie to Baie-Saint-Paul

From La Malbaie, drive west along the 362 scenic road towards the city of Baie-Saint-Paul.

See the points of interest of the Route des saveurs which offers a long list of agro-industries and restaurants open to visitors in the area. We stopped in a few places and like a treasure hunt we've put together a small picnic that we tasted in one of the many roadside stops on the outskirts of the road with a view on the River.

Make a stop at Les Éboulements and Saint-Irénée, two small villages with beautiful landscapes and places conducive to rest.

If time permits, the Musée maritime de Charlevoix in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive is very interesting. Located on a former shipyard, climb aboard schooners, these wooden boats, which once navigated on the St. Lawrence River.

Finish the day in Baie-Saint-Paul. On the outskirts of the River, the city offers a wide variety of shops, numerous art galleries and several artists.

Stop at Saint-Pub to taste a sample of their craft beer breated on-site. If you're a chocolate and bread lover, visit Chocolaterie Cynthia and bakery À Chacun son Pain.

Eastbound: From La Malbaie to Baie-Sainte-Catherine

On your way to Baie-Sainte-Catherine, right off road 138, is Port-au-Persil, my ultimate favorite village in the region. Walk on the banks of the river to the small Anglican chapel or take a dip in Port-au-Persil River. The panorama is of striking beauty. You will soon understand why this place is one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec.

The village of Saint-Simeon is an interesting stop and perhaps a starting point for a whale-watching cruise. We chose to lounge on the municipal beach and observe the whales from the wharf. The beluga whales were at the rendezvous.

A few kilometers east of Saint-Simeon, again off the road 138, stop at the Baie-des-Rochers Municipal Park and take a hike. After 1.9 km you will find a beautiful beach with breathtaking scenery. The place is ideal for picnicking and swimming.

Final destination: Baie-Sainte-Catherine. Stop at the Pointe-Noire interpretive and observation centre, on the other side of the Saguenay fjord. You will have a breathtaking view of the Saguenay River and Tadoussac. Baie-Sainte-Catherine is also a favourite destination for tourists who come for a whale watching cruise.

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Beyond Baie-Sainte-Catherine, is the wonderful Côte-Nord. A region just as great as Charlevoix that I will probably cover in a future article. The tour of the Côte-Nord is easily combined with a getaway in Charlevoix. If you have the luxury of time, you should try to include it in your itinerary.

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