Domaine Forget de Charlevoix sits in Saint-Irénée, in the part of Charlevoix that Tourisme Charlevoix calls the Crater and Tides sector, between the river and the mountains. Tourisme Charlevoix describes it as a place that combines music, dance, sculpture and nature, with a Music and Dance Academy that provides advanced artistic training and an institution that also handles production and distribution. For visitors, the headline is the concert programme: an International Festival and a variety programming series bring musicians to a concert hall in a riverside setting. The site also includes the Harmonic Sculpture Garden, an ambulatory promenade with many sculptures, and a visit to the garden is free. The domaine is open all year, and it offers vacation rental studios in summer, so it can be a base as well as an outing. For travellers who care about the arts, it is the cultural counterpart to the galleries of Baie-Saint-Paul.
What to do
Check the concert calendar first and, if you can, book a seat for an evening performance; the programme varies by season and has ranged across several musical styles, and a concert hall with a river view is a memorable setting. If there is no concert on your dates, walk the Harmonic Sculpture Garden and enjoy the grounds.
The academy trains young musicians and dancers, so you may hear rehearsals or see students around the campus, which gives the place a lively, creative feel. Stay for dinner nearby if you can, as the evening light over the river is part of the appeal.
Seasons and planning
The international festival takes place in summer, and that is when the domaine is busiest, so book concert tickets and any accommodation early. The tourism board says the domaine is open all year, but the programme is thinner in the cold months, so check what is on.
Prices vary by performance, and the website lists the current programme. The address is 5 rang Saint-Antoine in Saint-Irénée, and there is a phone number and email on the website for questions. The domaine is easy to reach by car from Baie-Saint-Paul or La Malbaie, and there is parking on site.
Fitting it in
Saint-Irénée sits between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, so it is a natural stop on the drive along the river. Combine an afternoon at the domaine with a visit to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and the Isle-aux-Coudres ferry, and finish the day with a concert. For a longer stay, consider a night at Le Germain Charlevoix or the Petit Manoir du Casino, both of which are an easy drive away.
Families can bring older children to a daytime concert or to the sculpture garden, while younger children may prefer the shore and the village. Dress in layers, as evenings by the river cool quickly even in summer.
Practical notes
Allow time before a concert to walk the grounds, check whether the hall has a pre-concert talk, and dress for the temperature in the hall as well as the weather outside. If you are staying nearby, ask your hotel about transport after a late concert, since rural roads are dark and can be slippery in winter.
What to expect
The experience
A music and dance academy and concert venue with an international festival, a variety programme and a free sculpture garden.
Best time
Summer for the international festival; the domaine is open all year with a lighter programme in the cold months.
How long
Two to four hours for a garden walk and a concert.
Tips
Check the concert calendar and book early in summer, and allow time for the sculpture garden.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Music lovers who want a concert in a riverside setting.
- Families
- The sculpture garden is free and easy for children; choose daytime concerts for older children.
- Couples
- A summer evening concert followed by dinner nearby.
- Pair with
- Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, the Isle-aux-Coudres ferry and a night at Le Germain Charlevoix.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours, or an evening for a concert.
Good questions
Where is Domaine Forget?+
In Saint-Irénée, at 5 rang Saint-Antoine, between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie in the Crater and Tides sector.
Is it open all year?+
Tourisme Charlevoix says it is open all year. The concert programme is busiest in summer, so check what is on for your dates.
Is the sculpture garden free?+
Yes, the Harmonic Sculpture Garden, an ambulatory promenade with many sculptures, is free to visit.
Can I stay there?+
Vacation rental studios are offered in summer. Check the website for current availability.
What kind of music is played?+
The domaine hosts an international festival and a variety programming series, so styles change with the season. Check the website for the current programme.
