Most visitors drive straight from La Malbaie to Tadoussac, and Tourisme Charlevoix's three-day itinerary is built to show what they miss. It covers about 88 kilometres of coast by car with some walking. Day one takes in the Musée de Charlevoix in La Malbaie, Cap-à-l'Aigle, a member of the Association des plus beaux villages du Québec with a marina and the Jardins du Cap-à-l'Aigle, the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park visitor centre, Fromagerie St-Fidèle and the Centre écologique de Port-au-Saumon. Day two goes to Port-au-Persil with its cidery and pottery workshop, Saint-Siméon beach and its outdoor activities, the Centre d'exposition Inouï and the Baie-des-Rochers municipal park. Day three reaches Pointe-Noire and a whale-watching cruise from Baie-Sainte-Catherine.
What to do
Choose a few stops rather than all of them. Cap-à-l'Aigle is the pretty village stop, Port-au-Persil the quiet one with the cidery and the pottery workshop where visitors can make pieces, and Baie-des-Rochers the place for forest trails, beaches and marine wildlife viewing. Saint-Siméon offers dog sledding, sea kayaking, climbing, via ferrata, backcountry skiing, fat biking, trout fishing and hiking, depending on the operator.
Seasons and planning
The itinerary page gives little seasonal detail beyond summer soft serve at Fromagerie St-Fidèle, and several stops, such as the whale cruise, are summer activities, so check each one's hours in November. The page describes a driving route with some walking, so a car is essential. Fill the tank before you leave La Malbaie.
Fitting it in
Start from La Malbaie, where the Casino de Charlevoix and the hotels are, and end at Baie-Sainte-Catherine. A single day covers the highlights and three days cover the full plan. Pair it with the Pointe-Noire lookout and, in season, a whale cruise.
What to expect
The experience
A self-drive route of about 88 kilometres along the Charlevoix coast with village, museum and nature stops.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn for the most open stops; the road itself is open all year.
How long
One long day for the highlights or three days for the full itinerary.
Tips
Fill the tank before you leave La Malbaie, pick a handful of stops and check seasonal hours, especially outside summer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Drivers who want villages, cider and river views rather than a straight run to Tadoussac.
- Families
- Short stops at Saint-Siméon beach, Baie-des-Rochers and the cheese shop suit children better than long museum visits.
- Couples
- Cap-à-l'Aigle and Port-au-Persil for a slow afternoon of gardens, cider and pottery.
- Pair with
- The Pointe-Noire lookout, a whale cruise and a night in La Malbaie.
- Time needed
- A full day at least, three days for everything.
Good questions
How long is the Charlevoix coast road itinerary?+
Tourisme Charlevoix describes about 88 kilometres over three days, by car with some walking. A single day covers the highlights.
What are the best stops?+
Cap-à-l'Aigle, a member of the Association des plus beaux villages du Québec, Port-au-Persil with its cidery and pottery workshop, and Baie-des-Rochers municipal park. Pointe-Noire and a whale cruise finish the route.
Is it open in winter?+
The road is a public road, but several stops are seasonal, so check hours before you go. The itinerary page gives little seasonal detail.
What activities are at Saint-Siméon?+
The page lists dog sledding, sea kayaking, climbing, via ferrata, backcountry skiing, fat biking, trout fishing and hiking, depending on the operator.
Where does the route start?+
At the Musée de Charlevoix in La Malbaie and it ends at Baie-Sainte-Catherine with Pointe-Noire and the whale-watching cruises. Staying in La Malbaie is the practical base.
