La Malbaie Things to Do

Part of the prestigious Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Le Manoir Richelieu is a beautiful but pretty pricey resort overlooking the magnificient St. Lawrence River. Even if you can't afford to stay at the Manoir, you are still free to walk around the grounds and the main floor of the resort, sit in front of the fireplace, and enjoy the view! You can also stop for a meal at one of the Manoir's restaurants or have a drink in the tearoom or port room. The last time we were there we stopped by La Brise, the Manoir's lobby bar, and shared a platter of regional cheese with a glass of wine - we very much enjoyed the rich and yet very casual atmosphere of the place!

The Acropole des Draveurs is often described as the most beautiful hiking trail in the province of Quebec, which is why I thought it deserved its own tip. Part of the Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie, this trail is not exactly long (10.4 km roundtrip) but it's all up hill so you should plan at least 4 hours to make it to the top and back, more if you plan on having lunch along the way and if you want to give yourself more time to enjoy the amazing scenery (you should!). It's not an easy hike: the trail is well marked, but it does involve a bit of rock climbing. However, the view once you reach the top at 1048 m above sea level is absolutely worth every effort!

In this beautiful provincial park, the Malbaie River winds its way between the highest rock faces east of the Canadian Rockies to create a spectacular valley scenery that visitors can discover by going up the river in canoes and kayaks or by hiking. The trail that goes to the top of the "Acropole des Draveurs", the highest point in the park (1,048 m), offers an amazing view of the Hautes-Gorges. For the less adventurous visitors, it is also possible to go on a 90-minute cruise up the river during which a guide will help you discover the history, flora, fauna and geological features of the park (it's best to reserve in advance). Also, the "Erabliere" trail is an easy walking trail that goes along the Malbaie River, and it is especially beautiful in the fall when the maples turn from green to red, orange and yellow!

The Charlevoix region is full of nice little villages. When traveling in this region, it pays to take your time and stop along the way because you never know what great landscapes, shops or museums you could discover hidden in the heart of a small village. On our first trip to Charlevoix, we found a beautiful little chapel in the small village of Port-au-Persil, which is completely hidden from view and only accessible by the sea shore (you need to drive as far as the road will take you and continue on foot). Built in 1893, the chapel is open to visitors free of charge, and its beautiful, quiet surroundings make for a truly one-of-a-kind picnic spot - you might even see a few whales!