Charlevoix
What to do in Charlevoix
Mountains that drop straight into the river, a meteorite crater turned lived-in valley, artists' villages and a celebrated table. Discover Charlevoix season by season — and the cottage to make your base.
Charlevoix, a crater turned mountain country
On the north shore of the Saint Lawrence, east of Québec City, Charlevoix owes its dramatic relief to an event out of the ordinary: a meteorite impact some 450 million years ago that carved a crater roughly fifty kilometres across. The villages of Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie settled inside it — hence these steep valleys and mountains that fall straight into the river.
The region pairs the outdoors with the good life: two Sépaq national parks, the highest ski mountain east of the Canadian Rockies, art galleries in Baie-Saint-Paul, the producers of the Route des Saveurs, and a river that turns salty enough, further east, for whales to be watched. Charlevoix has been a UNESCO world biosphere reserve since 1988 — an ideal place for a cottage stay in Charlevoix, summer or winter.
COTTAGES TO RENT IN CHARLEVOIX
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Cottages in Charlevoix: explore by experience
HOLIDAYS IN CHARLEVOIX
Who is Charlevoix for, and when should you go?
A region with two sides: wide open country on one hand, villages, galleries and fine tables on the other. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday in Charlevoix: the free ferry to Isle-aux-Coudres, easy trails and whale-watching trips.
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As a couple
A cottage with a river view, a private hot tub, a local-fare supper and sunsets over the mountains.
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Outdoors & hiking
Two Sépaq national parks, the Acropole-des-Draveurs and the summits of Grands-Jardins.
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With friends & skiers
Large cottages near Le Massif de Charlevoix and Mont Grand-Fonds, for a ski trip.
When to visit Charlevoix
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Spring
The whales returning to the river, and maple sugar season.
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Summer
Hiking, cycling, cruises and village festivals.
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Fall
Colour across the mountains and the river — the photographer's season.
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Winter
Downhill skiing at Le Massif, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice climbing.
WHAT TO DO IN CHARLEVOIX
What to do in Charlevoix: activities by season
Things to do in Charlevoix with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- Isle-aux-Coudres A free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, then a bike ride around the island.
- Baie-Saint-Paul Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, art galleries and terraces at the heart of the crater.
- Whale watching — Baie-Sainte-Catherine Cruises in the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park (mid-May to October).
- Grands-Jardins National Park Easy trails, lakes and taiga landscapes (Sépaq).
- Route des Saveurs Cheese makers, chocolate shops and farms open to visitors.
- Le Massif de Charlevoix A panoramic gondola in summer, a ski school in winter.
In summer
- Acropole-des-Draveurs — Hautes-Gorges One of the toughest trails in the Sépaq network, and one of the most striking.
- Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes — Grands-Jardins An unmatched view over the Charlevoix crater and the Gros-Bras valley.
- A cruise on the Malbaie River Sailing beneath the highest rock walls east of the Rockies.
- Mountain biking at Le Massif Close to 20 km of trails, with descents facing the river.
- Kayaking & paddleboarding on the St. Lawrence A river as wide as a sea, from the region's wharves.
- Music at Domaine Forget — Saint-Irénée An international festival in a hall facing the river.
In winter
- Downhill skiing — Le Massif de Charlevoix 770 m of vertical drop, the highest east of the Canadian Rockies, with a view over the river.
- Downhill skiing — Mont Grand-Fonds, La Malbaie A family hill known for its snowfall.
- Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing — Grands-Jardins Groomed trails through boreal forest and taiga (Sépaq).
- Ice climbing — Hautes-Gorges Legendary frozen falls, La Pomme d'Or among them.
- Fat biking & trail skating Winter routes laid out in the national parks.
- A cottage stay with a hot tub A private hot tub, a fireplace and a frozen lake outside the window.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN CHARLEVOIX
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Our cottages to rent in Charlevoix
A river view, a private hot tub and mountains on the skyline, from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to La Malbaie. Details come straight from our listings — click through for availability and rates.
- longue-duree
- Séjour en semaine
ITINERARY
A weekend in Charlevoix: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — Baie-Saint-Paul & the Route des Saveurs
Wander rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste among the art galleries, then take the producers' road: the region's cheese makers, chocolate shops and farms.
La Route des Saveurs ↗ -
Day 2 — National parks & long views
Head for the mountains: Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes in Grands-Jardins, or the Hautes-Gorges and their dizzying walls. Set aside the whole day.
Sépaq — Hautes-Gorges ↗ -
Day 3 — The river: Isle-aux-Coudres or whales
The free crossing to Isle-aux-Coudres from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, or the drive to Baie-Sainte-Catherine for a whale-watching trip.
Société des traversiers du Québec ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN CHARLEVOIX
The essential sights of Charlevoix
Places we have checked, and that keep their appeal year after year. Each card links to the official source so you can plan your visit.
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PETITE-RIVIÈRE-SAINT-FRANÇOIS
Le Massif de Charlevoix
lemassif.com770 m of vertical drop, the highest east of the Canadian Rockies, with the Saint Lawrence as a backdrop. Skiing and snowboarding in winter; mountain biking, hiking and the gondola in summer.
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SÉPAQ · CHARLEVOIX-EST
Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park
sepaq.comThe highest rock walls east of the Rockies. Hiking the Acropole-des-Draveurs, cruising the Malbaie River in summer, snowshoeing and ice climbing in winter.
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SÉPAQ · SAINT-URBAIN
Grands-Jardins National Park
sepaq.comA land of taiga and boreal forest where caribou live. Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes offers an unmatched view over the Charlevoix crater.
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BAIE-SAINT-PAUL
Baie-Saint-Paul, a village of artists
tourisme-charlevoix.comThe region's cultural heart: rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, galleries, studios and a contemporary art museum, in a valley carved by the meteorite impact.
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SAINT-JOSEPH-DE-LA-RIVE
Isle-aux-Coudres
traversiers.comAn island best seen by bike, reached by a free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. Mills, workshops and quiet roads facing the river.
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BAIE-SAINTE-CATHERINE
Whale watching
parcs.canada.caWhere it meets the Saguenay, the river becomes one of the finest whale-watching spots in the world, at the heart of the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park.
The 6 areas of Charlevoix
The region runs west to east along the river, from the slopes of Le Massif to the mouth of the Saguenay. Each area has its own character — pick the one that matches the mood you are after.
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François — the gateway, the mountain and the skiing.
Baie-Saint-Paul — art, food and the heart of the crater.
Les Éboulements & Isle-aux-Coudres — long views and island life.
Saint-Irénée — the beach, the music and the river.
La Malbaie — a historic resort town and the way in to the Hautes-Gorges.
Saint-Siméon & Baie-Sainte-Catherine — the door to the whales and the Saguenay.
FAQ
Holidays in Charlevoix: common questions
Where is Charlevoix?
Charlevoix is a tourist region of Québec, within the Capitale-Nationale administrative region, on the north shore of the Saint Lawrence, east of Québec City. Its main centres are Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Baie-Saint-Paul, Les Éboulements, Isle-aux-Coudres, Saint-Irénée, La Malbaie and Saint-Siméon.
When should you visit Charlevoix?
All year round. Winter for skiing at Le Massif de Charlevoix and Mont Grand-Fonds; spring and summer for hiking, cycling and whale watching; fall for the colours across the mountains and the river.
What is there to do in Charlevoix in winter?
Downhill skiing at Le Massif de Charlevoix — 770 m of vertical drop, the highest east of the Canadian Rockies — and at Mont Grand-Fonds, plus snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the Grands-Jardins and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national parks, ice climbing and fat biking.
What is there to do in Charlevoix with family?
Isle-aux-Coudres and its free ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, the galleries and downtown of Baie-Saint-Paul, the easy trails of the national parks, a whale-watching trip from Baie-Sainte-Catherine, and the tasting stops along the Route des Saveurs.
Can you rent a cottage in Charlevoix with Chalets Confort?
Yes. Chalets Confort has cottages to rent in Charlevoix — Le Davinci and L'Audacieux at Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, L'Eaurizon at La Malbaie and Le Repère d'Aya at Baie-Saint-Paul among them — several with a river view and a private hot tub. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Charlevoix?
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