La Malbaie, Baie Saint Paul & Beaupre

Stroll along Pointe-au-Pic’s  rue du Quai or slowly climbing the Chemin des Falaises to discover the charming maritime landscapes. Alternatively enjoy the Casino de Charlevoix or just drink in the simple beauty of the waterfront at St. Lawrence.

On your way towards Quebec City be sure to stop at Baie-Saint-Paul, the birthplace of internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil. Strolling along its narrow streets lined with quaint boutiques and art galleries is a great way to discover and fully enjoy one of Québec’s oldest towns.

With its prosperous, holiday atmosphere and its location among wood-covered hills at the meeting of the St Lawrence and Gouffre Rivers, Baie Saintt-Paul is one of the North Shore’s most appealing towns.

A great way to discover Baie Saint-Paul, one of Quebec’s oldest towns is to stroll along its narrow streets lined with quaint boutiques and over 30 art galleries and studios. Stop for a lunch or dinner in one of the historic houses converted into superb restaurants. Baie Saint Paul is the birthplace of the internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil, now the largest theatrical producer in the world. It all began when performer, Guy Laliberté, organised a summer fair in Baie Saint Paul and the rest is history. Today the area is a true inspiration to many artists and artisans with abundant art galleries, festivals and cultural events year round.

Outdoor activities are plentiful amongst the vast valley scenery. Enjoy hiking and biking, canoeing and golfing in the summer sunshine or snowmobiling and dog sledging in the winter snow.

Baie-Saint-Paul’s major attractions are Paul-Médéric’s art centre, René-Richard’s Home and Baie-Saint-Paul’s museum of contemporary arts.

Located along the Saint Lawrence River and Route 138, the village of Beaupré lies at the mouth of the Sainte-Anne-du-Nord River. The region of La Côte-de-Beaupré in Quebec was the first pilgrimage site in North America, 350 years ago. Today the Saint-Anne-de- Beaupré Shrine welcomes over a million visitors each year and hosts a number of sacred art works.

Beaupré is also home to various art and cultural creators and you can find many independent artworks and crafts showcased by local artisans at Atelier Paré, especially wooden scultures. There are many local art galleries and boutiques to peruse at your leisure.

There are some fantastic opportunities to get outdoors in Beaupré.  Cycling enthusiasts travel to Route de la Nouvelle-France every year to enjoy the Marie-Hélène-Prémont bike trail at their own pace on.  The region is well known for its numerous waterfalls and gorges complete with stunning views and creating peaceful havens for nature lovers and offers exhilarating challenges for adrenalin junkies. Be sure to visit Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, which is said to be one of Canada’s best-known bird-watching sites, with over 180 species to be found. It’s also home to hiking trails, interpretive activities, and thousands of greater snow geese that gather there in the spring and autumn.