Charlevoix

A wonder to discover! Created by Mr. Francis H. Cabot and his wife, Anne Perkins, Les jardins de Quatre-Vents are often described as the most esthetic private gardens in the world. Theme areas with over 1,000 plant species will delight you with their beauty and rarity. Les Jardins de Quatre-Vents are open only four days a year, allowing visitors to admire the different blooms of June, July and August. It is therefore important to plan you visit a long time in advance for the chance to contemplate this truly horticultural treasure!

Among the numerous activities the Charlevoix region has to offer, whale watching is certainly one of the most spectacular. From May to October, many cetacean species such as the blue whale and the humpback whale are found in the St. Lawrence River salt water. On a comfortable boat, in a zodiac, sea kayak or simply from the riverbanks, you will be fascinated by the singing and beauty of these huge mammals.

The Charlevoix region boasts many beaches along the St. Lawrence, the rivers or by the lakes. Among the most popular are the Baie-Saint-Paul public beach with its magnificent wharf and ornithological woods, the Cap-aux-Oies beach, more quiet but famous with holidaymakers and locals, and the long beach of Saint-Irénée, extending over a few kilometers, with horse riding as an added bonus for equestrian enthusiasts!

Immersed in the St. Lawrence estuary, the Charlevoix region is full of contrasts. Its most unusual geography is due to the gigantic meteorite that fell to earth 350 million years ago. Its astrobleme form, one of the 15 biggest in the world, is still very well preserved in the Charlevoix landscape. Visitors can appreciate its vastness through various excursions offered by Cratère de Charlevoix: route with panoramic stops, joint activy of discovery or mountain hiking. An exciting journey to discover a fabulous impact crater!

Devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi, Le Jardin de François is located on the property of the Petites-Franciscaines-de-Marie and opened in the fall of 2015. Spanning over 13,000 sq. m., the gardens include 400 m of trails featuring a 150-m long stream, 7,591 plants of 186 species, 372 trees, 4,377 perennials and 1,000 bulbs. Le Jardin de François is a wonderful acquisition for Baie-Saint-Paul and a vivid example of sustainable development.