Quebec (Canada)
Charlevoix is the stretch of the St.
Lawrence north shore east of Quebec City where the Laurentian mountains drop straight into the river: a coast of art-filled villages, farm-and-cider country, a ski mountain with a river view and the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord, where whales feed. This guide covers Baie-Saint-Paul and its galleries and contemporary art museum, Le Massif de Charlevoix and its seasonal train, the quiet river island of Isle-aux-Coudres, the deep river valley of the Hautes-Gorges national park, La Malbaie with the Casino de Charlevoix, the coast road toward Baie-Sainte-Catherine and a whale-watching cruise out of Tadoussac. It is honest about the calendar, because much of Charlevoix runs from late spring to early autumn and the train, the whale cruises and the ski lifts are all closed or not yet open in early November. It then pairs the sights with five hotels, from the grand Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu to a year-round motel on rue Richelieu, because here, where you sleep decides how much of a long coast you can cover.
Train de Charlevoix
A tourist train along the St. Lawrence shore between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie. The 2026 season has ended, the train is resting for the winter and 2027 details are due in a few weeks.
Isle-aux-Coudres
A river island reached by a free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, with a 24 kilometre loop road and bike path, a cidery, a bakery and a brewery. Many shops and hotels keep seasonal hours, so check before you cross.
Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park
A Sepaq national park of deep river valleys, with an hour-long riverboat cruise offered on weekends and winter skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing. Summer activities are seasonal, so check the park's calendar.
Casino de Charlevoix
A Loto-Québec casino and entertainment resort at 183 rue Richelieu in La Malbaie, open all year to guests aged 18 and over. It is right next door to the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu.
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
A two to three hour cruise or Zodiac trip into the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park, leaving from Tadoussac or from Baie-Sainte-Catherine on the Charlevoix side. The season runs from late spring to early autumn, so no cruises are running now.
A walking trail through Charlevoix's art town, from the Musée d'art contemporain to the galleries of rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste and the square where Cirque du Soleil began. Free to walk, open to visit in all seasons, though winter opening hours need checking.
A ski mountain that drops about 770 metres to the St. Lawrence, with 53 runs and a gondola. Lift tickets are valid from 5 December 2026 to 11 April 2027, so the lifts are closed today and open soon.
A tourist train along the St. Lawrence shore between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie. The 2026 season has ended, the train is resting for the winter and 2027 details are due in a few weeks.
FreeA river island reached by a free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, with a 24 kilometre loop road and bike path, a cidery, a bakery and a brewery. Many shops and hotels keep seasonal hours, so check before you cross.
A Sepaq national park of deep river valleys, with an hour-long riverboat cruise offered on weekends and winter skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing. Summer activities are seasonal, so check the park's calendar.
FreeA Loto-Québec casino and entertainment resort at 183 rue Richelieu in La Malbaie, open all year to guests aged 18 and over. It is right next door to the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu.
A Parks Canada shore lookout at Baie-Sainte-Catherine for watching belugas and minke whales from land, about 1 kilometre before the Tadoussac ferry dock. Hours vary by season, so check Parks Canada first.
An 88 kilometre drive from La Malbaie past Cap-à-l'Aigle, Port-au-Persil and Saint-Siméon to the whale-watching village of Baie-Sainte-Catherine. Several stops are seasonal, so expect fewer open doors outside summer.
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$$La Malbaie
The grand resort hotel of La Malbaie, right next door to the Casino de Charlevoix, with a spa, golf, pools and several places to eat. Winter packages run through 31 March 2027, so it is a real option outside summer.
Check rates →Baie-Saint-Paul
A 145-room hotel and Nordic spa at 50 rue de la Ferme in Baie-Saint-Paul, built as a cluster of pavilions with two restaurants and free parking. It is the stylish base for Le Massif and the art trail.
Check rates →La Malbaie
A mid-range hotel and pavilion complex with spas, pools and a river-view restaurant, just steps from the Casino de Charlevoix in La Malbaie. It has winter services, including snowmobile parking.
Check rates →
$$Baie-Saint-Paul
A 62-room hotel near downtown Baie-Saint-Paul, close to Le Massif de Charlevoix and a few minutes from rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, with breakfast included and open all year.
Check rates →Pointe-au-Pic, La Malbaie
A budget-friendly hotel-motel at 1125 rue Richelieu in the historic Pointe-au-Pic district of La Malbaie, open all year with an electric charging station.
Check rates →A practical primer for a first trip to Charlevoix, Quebec: the seasons, what to book ahead, how to get around, how many days to allow and where Baie-Saint-Paul, Le Massif, La Malbaie and the whales fit.
Where to stay in Charlevoix: Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, with five hotels from a grand resort to a year-round budget motel, and which ones are open in winter.
