Do you know the beautiful Charlevoix region? Only a few hours from Montreal and Quebec City, this region will charm lovers of good times, good food and nature for sure! Our ambassador, Jessica (from Nomade Magazine) has escaped and makes you discover this exceptional region.

When I have a few days off, I love driving my car and driving to a destination away from the city. I especially loved discovering the beautiful Charlevoix region where I was able to relax and fully enjoy the surrounding nature. I therefore share with you the unforgettable weekend I experienced there. I do strongly recommend that you add Charlevoix to your list when you want to escape for a few days.

Stay in a castle

I love choosing accommodation that will make my stay inspiring and I have to say that I have a crush on the distinguished atmosphere of Fairmont Hotels. That's why I found Manoir Richelieu to be the ideal place for this rejuvenating getaway.

Staying at the Manoir Richelieu is an activity in itself since it is so pleasant to enjoy the magnificence of this place by sipping your favorite cocktail or a cup of tea to the sound of the piano in the lobby. The story behind the monument takes us back in time and makes us appreciate its refined and friendly atmosphere. It is difficult to get bored there since a spa is accessible on site as well as a magnificent golf course and a casino. After a delicious meal at the manor's Table et Terroir restaurant, I had the chance to enjoy a colourful show given by the one and only Gregory Charles at the Casino bar. It's worth taking a look at the music program to choose the perfect date and plan your getaway in the region.

I always feel the need to be outside, I loved hiking on the "sentier des planètes", which offers different views of the Manoir and the St. Lawrence River. The walk is punctuated by interesting information about astronomy and also allows us to learn more about the region. This is the perfect activity to enjoy the outdoors and explore different aspects of the world surrounding us.

Outdoors activities

The region is full of exciting activities and I had the opportunity to experience some of them! I really enjoyed going to Pointe-au-Pic in La Malbaie where there is a pretty white bridge giving access to the dock. From here, you can see a majestic panorama of the bay and the surrounding mountains. After this walk, I enjoyed a meal in the festive atmosphere of the grill restaurant La Bohème. In addition to tasting comforting dishes near a fire on the terrace, I was able to taste various beers from microbreweries of the region.

For outdoor enthusiasts, you will love the last activity I had the pleasure of experiencing before leaving the region. This is the incredible 11-kilometre hike that is the "Acropole des Draveurs" located in "Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie" National Park. The first two kilometres were very intense, but I could already enjoy extraordinary views of the immense rock faces surrounding the "Rivière-Malbaie". This alpine environment is absolutely incredible to discover and all the necessary efforts are worth it. Once at the top, I could only appreciate the wild beauty of this beautiful region of Quebec.

Just a few hours from the largest cities, the Charlevoix region has everything it takes to offer a memorable weekend full of experiences, whether it be for a stay to disconnect, to explore new gastronomic flavours or to enjoy outdoor activities.