On your next visit to the Charlevoix region, don’t forget to make a stop at the prestigious Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu. It’s the perfect starting point to explore Charlevoix and its surroundings.
Charlevoix is one of our favourite regions of Quebec and it is certainly one of the most beautiful. And with good reason! As you drive through the hollows and peaks with the majestic St. Lawrence River as a backdrop, it is hard not to be mesmerized by this sublime region.
The Charlevoix region
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
The property
A major landmark in Charlevoix is the prestigious Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu. Nestled on the Pointe-au-Pic cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the 5-star property is recognized as one of the most prestigious resorts in North America.
Le Manoir Richelieu
The Manoir was built some 120 years ago to accommodate the American haute bourgeoisie in search of beauty and a change of scenery. At the time, they disembarked there by boat and spent months in the area. The Manoir’s impressive stature has earned the town of La Malbaie the title of “The very cradle of Canadian vacationing”.
The cannons on the terrace of the Manoir
To this day, the noble character of the establishment allows it to welcome renowned personalities and the most powerful world leaders in its historic salons, such as during the G7 summit in 2018.
The Murray Salon exudes an incredible historical atmosphere
The property boasts a rich tradition of hospitality combining the charm of nature, the elegance of a historic resort and the gastronomic delights of the Charlevoix region.
View of the St. Lawrence River
The site’s natural assets, such as its rugged landscape, wooded areas and breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River, invite visitors to relax. On sunny days, the panoramic view of the river is sublime.
Several trails lead to lookouts with a magnificent view.
The pandemic has not been a hindrance to the hospitality shown to us by the entire staff of the Manoir. The reception, the service and the small attentions are worthy of a hotel of this caliber.
The main lobby
Our room
The hotel offers 405 comfortable rooms and suites with timeless decor and modern accessories. Several of them feature stunning views of the terrace of the resort and the St. Lawrence River.
The view from our room
Our room was very spacious. It had a king size bed and a pleasant living room area with a sofa that could be converted into a bed. The boys couldn’t wait to jump into the pool, but when they realized that our room had a large jacuzzi, they postponed the pool until the next day.
Our Deluxe room with view and Jaccuzi
The restaurants
The establishment offers 4 restaurants: Le Saint-Laurent, Le Bellerive, Bar La Brise, Le Point Cardinal. Seats run out quickly. Remember to make a reservation!
For dinner and breakfast, we enjoyed local flavours at Le Bellerive restaurant. Its large bay windows facing the river offered us a relaxed atmosphere in a bright decor. The food was neat and delicious!
Tiramisu at the restaurant Le Bellerive
The activities offered on the site
The resort
I told you earlier that the Manoir Richelieu was built with the purpose of being a resort. Time went by but the Manoir’s vocation remained!
Even today, the Manoir Richelieu still offers a variety of sports and recreational facilities, including :
- An outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, which are open and heated even in wintertime.
- An indoor pool and whirlpool, as well as a large sauna.
- A fitness room with weights and cardiovascular facilities.
- A multi-sport centre with tennis, basketball, pickle-ball, volleyball, badminton, petanque, miniature golf, etc.
- And even an ice ring and a skating rink in winter!
Moreover, all sports equipment is available for free rental for vacationers!
A playroom with a games console, table tennis and billiards will satisfy the little ones while the grown-ups will enjoy a relaxing time at the Spa which offers a full range of massages and aesthetic and body treatments.
We could have stayed there for a week and we would never have been bored.
The indoor swimming pool
Heated outdoor swimming pools
The minigolf course at the Manoir
The Via Ferrata
For the outdoor and thrill seeking enthusiasts! This new activity presented by the Manoir Richelieu and developed in partnership with Projet Vertical is truly exceptional. The Via Ferrata “La Charlevoix” is a 500-metre stretch along a cliff facing the St. Lawrence River. The activity lasts a little over 3 hours and is available in both winter and summer.
And how wonderful it was to have enjoyed it as a family! The boys would have loved to do it all day long. Plus, it’s very safe!
The Via Ferrata
Imagine the magical setting offered by the Manoir Richelieu, on steep cliffs with a breathtaking panoramic view. Combine this with a perfect weather condition that allows you to see beautiful clouds and the other shore of the in the distance, a peaceful Saint Laurence River at high tide with a colour that reflects the gradient blue of the sky… and the railroad track of the famous Charlevoix train that goes choo-choo as it passes by. I can only say WOW!!!!
The Via Ferrata
The Via Ferrata
Our guide Christian was super friendly and told us about the developments to come for the next few years. The least we can say is that it makes us want to go back!
The Via Ferrata
The Golf Club
Experienced golfers know that the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club course is among the most beautiful in the country. With a total of 27 world class holes of golf, nine of which were recently added, this magnificent and demanding course will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
Admire this magnificent view from hole #1!
The hole #1 of the Manoir Richelieu Golf Club
The Casino of Charlevoix
For the gamblers out there, the Casino of Charlevoix is located on the grounds of the Manoir Richelieu. Try your luck at poker, roulette, baccarat or slot machines! Don’t forget to reserve your spot because seats are limited, COVID obliged.
Discover the most beautiful places in Charlevoix
The Manoir Richelieu is ideally located for beautiful day trips. Charlevoix has enchanting sites in symbiosis with nature, whether in the mountains or along the waterfront. For those who want to discover Charlevoix’s gastronomy, the region is also renowned for its agro-tourism. There is something for everyone!
La Malbaie
Although La Malbaie‘s main attraction is the Manoir Richelieu, the town should not be avoided. Strolling along the river at low tide at sunset provides a bucolic experience. Especially when you can witness half a rainbow on the river after a light rain!
La Malbaie Quay
Rainbow in La Malbaie
Saint-Irénée
The beauty of the village of Saint-Irénée has earned it a place among the most beautiful villages of Quebec. We loved walking along the beach and experiencing the spectacular scenery.
Saint-Irénée at high tide
Jetée des capelans at Saint-Irénée
L’Isle-aux-Coudres
On the way back to Quebec City, we drove through Isle-aux-Coudres, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence. From Les Éboulements, we had to fork towards the river to board the car on the ferry and reach the island. The landscapes along the river are stunning. It’s an ideal place to take a break and breathe some sea air.
Isle-aux-Coudres
On the ferry of Isle-aux-Coudres
Baie-Saint-Paul
In terms of natural beauty and touristic appeal, Baie-Saint-Paul has nothing to envy its neighbour La Malbaie. Its rugged landscape was shaped by a meteoric impact a few million years ago that left a crater 56 kilometres wide stretching from Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie! No wonder the Charlevoix region is so beautiful! Don’t miss a stroll in the bay when the tide is low to capture great photos!
Baie-Saint-Paul
Baie-Saint-Paul’s popular Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street, which resembles a postcard, is also very fascinating. It is renowned for its countless art galleries and you can discover local products from the Charlevoix region. By the way, did you know that the famous Cirque du Soleil was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul?
Baie-Saint-Paul
The Train of Charlevoix
The Train of Charlevoix is inseparable from Charlevoix. It connects Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie and offers an original way to discover otherwise inaccessible scenery on the river.
The Train of Charlevoix
The road of flavours
The road of flavours of Charlevoix is an agro-tourism circuit that allows visitors to discover the region’s home products. Think of the fine farming products of ducks, emus, goats, lambs, pigs or organic chickens, the world’s unique tomato wine, the cheese factories, bakeries, chocolate factories, honey factories, cider factories and other delicacies. Charlevoix has it all!
The national parks
Hiking enthusiasts will definitely want to visit the Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-De-La-Rivière-Malbaie and climb its legendary Acropole-des-Draveurs trail, which promises a grandiose panorama as a reward.
The Parc national des Grands-Jardins also satisfies mountain lovers. The must-see Lac-des-Cygnes peak offers a unique view on the meteor crater of Charlevoix.
These two parks are managed by the SEPAQ and feature great outdoor activities and accommodations for nature lovers.
Location
Baie-Saint-Paul is located only 60 minutes from beautiful Quebec City. An additional 30 minutes will allow you to reach La Malbaie and the Manoir Richelieu.
Conclusion
To relax, enjoy the outdoors or contemplate some of the most grandiose landscapes in the Belle Province, there is no doubt that the region of Charlevoix will know how to satisfy you. And to make the experience even more out of the ordinary, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is a mandatory stop.
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