The route du Fleuve (Charlevoix River Scenic Road) is a tourist circuit in the tourist region of Charlevoix, in Quebec, Canada. For the trip between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, visitors have the option of taking route 362 which runs along the coast for its maritime charm and its attractions, rather than the main road (route 138) which goes to 17 km (11 mi) inland via Saint-Urbain, Saint-Hilarion, Notre-Dame-des-Monts, Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs and Clermont (Charlevoix-Est).

Understand

The Route du Fleuve is one of the official tourist routes signposted by Tourisme Québec with blue signs. It connects the towns of Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie via Les Éboulements and Saint-Irénée. It runs along the St. Lawrence River by route 362 and measures 58 km (36 mi). The presence of the river and the mountains offer impressive views thanks to the altitude of the road, especially in the Les Éboulements sector. This exhilarating panoramic circuit is one of the most picturesque in Quebec. Along the coastline, travelers can observe the life and bustle of the river, including: passing boats, ferries, sailboats, banks of fog, clouds, storms, the effect of wind on water, waves, the ice in winter, the sailboats of migratory birds, sunrises/sunsets, the reflection of the moon, the passage of whales, and lighthouses.

The route du Fleuve has a variety of tourist attractions: old houses, old inns, mills, churches, quays/maritime jetties, astronomical observatory and the Astroblème de Charlevoix, art galleries, artists' studios (paintings, pottery), agritourism (honey farm, local product shops, greenhouses, farm animal breeding, herbalism, fish farming and chocolate factories), lookouts, lighthouse, roadside rest areas, municipal parks, hiking trails and mountains/cliffs. Visitors can stop for recreational tourism activities: picnics, meals, hiking, stopping at the beach, dog sledding, fishing, canyoning at the Cimon waterfall, as well as observation of the nature, flora and fauna, such as birds, farm animals (e.g., alpacas) and rural areas (e.g., gardens or other crops).

Road stages

• 1 Baie-Saint-Paul, ☏ +1 418-665-3443. City where recreational tourism activities are developed. A member of the Fédération des Villages-relais du Québec, Baie-Saint-Paul is a city of the arts because many artists paint the landscapes of the region on canvas. In addition, tourists have access to many shops, services and activities. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Les Éboulements. Mont Les Éboulements is reputed to be the central point of the impact of a meteorite estimated to be two kilometers in diameter that struck the earth about 400 million years ago. The fall of this meteorite formed a 54-km crater whose current rim lies a few kilometers from Baie-Saint-Paul and at the other end at Cap-à-l'Aigle in La Malbaie. Mount Les Éboulements is located north of the village. Recreational tourism activities are the main economic activity. The height of the road is 272 m in the centre of the hamlet Les Éboulements Est, 292 m in the centre of the village Les Éboulements, and up to 321 m between these two points. Thus, in this area, the view of the marine space is incomparable. (updated Jan 2022)
• 3 Saint-Irénée. The village of Saint-Irénée is picturesque and super-touristy because of its superb beach, the bucolic falls that descend the moraine (a belvedere allows you to appreciate the maritime environment), the Domaine Forget (which trains masters in music), as well as its accommodation capacity for tourists. (updated Jan 2022)
• 4 La Malbaie. Super-tourist city having developed a great capacity to welcome tourists because of its natural attractions, its arts, its recreational tourism activities and vacationing. (updated Jan 2022)

See

• 1 Plage de Saint-Irénée (Saint-Irénée Beach). Superb and large beach on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, opposite the village and at the foot of the moraine. The railroad separates Route 138 and the beach. Facing the beach, the tourist infrastructures are well equipped: restaurants, terraces, bars, accommodation, souvenir shops. A walk on the Capelans jetty allows you to appreciate the animation on the river. (updated Jan 2022)
• 2 Chutes de la rivière Jean-Noël à Saint-Irénée. Magnificent falls descending the moraine which is well hollow at this place. (updated Jan 2022)
• 3 Domaine Forget (Forget Domain), 5, rang Saint-Antoine, Saint-Irénée, ☏ +1 418-452-8111, info@domaineforget.com. International Academy of Music. This area of musical training and musical performance is home to an International Music Festival and an International Academy of Music and Dance for young and future music professionals. (updated Jan 2022)
• 4 Village de Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive Village). Picturesque village in the municipality of Les Éboulements, nestled between the high cliff and the shore of the St. Lawrence River, facing Île aux Coudres. A ferry service connects Île aux Coudres. This village offers several recreational tourism activities (resorts, lodging, restaurants, bicycles, hiking trails). (updated Jan 2022)
• 5 Isle-aux-Coudres, 1026, chemin des Coudriers, Isle-aux-Coudres, ☏ +1 418-760-1060, contact@municipaliteiac.ca. Island and picturesque locality of the MRC of Charlevoix, Isle-aux-Coudres is worth the detour by taking the ferry from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. The main attractions are: the Croix du Cap (built for sailors), the cross of Père de la Brosse, the Saint-Pierre chapel, Saint-Isidore chapel, the Jacques-Cartier monument, the crying rock, viewpoints majestic on the north coast, Pointe de l'Islet (west side), Pointe du bout d'en bas (east side), the mills of Isle-aux-Coudres (wind and water), the Parc de la Roche à Caya, the summer theatre, etc. The main recreational and tourist activities are: excursion on the river by ferry, resorts, restaurants, cycling, hiking trails, weir fishing, observation of life on the river (passage of boats, sailboats, fog, clouds, waves, marine mammals), and observation of the large reefs surrounding the island. In winter, visitors practice cross-country skiing and the snowmobile. (updated Jan 2022)

Do

Along the Route du Fleuve, sports enthusiasts can indulge, in particular:

• cycling on bicycle trails (or on secondary roads) in particular at Isle-aux-Coudres, Les Éboulements and Saint-Irénée, as well as in the two towns; or mountain biking, especially at Les Éboulements;
• sea kayaking in Saint-Irénée and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive;
• hiking in Les Éboulements in the mountain of the meteorite impact of the astrobleme of Charlevoix; or on the sandstone of La Malbaie Bay via the La Batture trail or the Planets trail from the Manoir Richelieu;
• golf in La Malbaie (Murray Bay club or Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Hotel) or Baie-Saint-Paul (Le Loup Golf or Mini-Putt Baie-Saint-Paul);
• running on Principale Street in Saint-Irénée or on the beach, or on the hills of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive;
• horseback riding at Les Écuries Entre Monts et Marées, in Saint-Irénée;

Entertainment lovers can, in particular:

• play at the Charlevoix casino, located in Pointe-aux-Pic;
• attend shows at the casino or at the Manoir Richelieu;
• go to the Ciné-parc in Baie-Saint-Paul or the cinema in La Malbaie;

Art lovers can visit, in particular:

• the three art galleries of Pointe-au-Pic;
• the Charlevoix arts workshops in Saint-Irénée;
• the stained glass workshops "Ô Vitrô et cie" in Les Éboulements.

Note: The BaladoDiscovery of the Charlevoix crafts route allows you to discover the creations and know-how of artists and artisans in the Charlevoix region.

History buffs can visit, including:

• the Charlevoix Museum in Pointe-au-Pic;
• the astronomical observatory and the astrobleme of Charlevoix, in Pointe-au-Pic;
• the Domaine Forget de Saint-Irénée where visitors can walk on the site and attend concerts according to the program;
• the Moulin Seigneurial of Les Éboulements;
• the Maritime Museum of Charlevoix;
• the mills (water and wind) of Isle-aux-Coudres.

Note: The Religious Heritage Circuit of Charlevoix offers visits to seven religious buildings with an architectural and historical character.

Seaside enthusiasts can, in particular:

• walk on both shores (east and west) of La Malbaie bay; on the beach of Saint-Irénée; by the sea in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive; on both shores (east and west) of Baie Saint-Paul in Baie-Saint-Paul; while stopping at the quays/piers of each town/village;
• visit the Cap-aux-Oies lighthouse, northeast of the village of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive.

Buy

Between La Malbaie and Baie-Saint-Paul, visitors can stop at several shops (souvenir items, antiques, agri-food presenting local products), workshops/art galleries (artists' paintings, pottery, stained glass, crafts, artisan products), pharmacies, as well as food stores (convenience stores, grocery stores) to take picnics outdoors.

Eat

The towns of Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie offer restaurants with varied styles and varied menus. The Manoir Richelieu offers a refined gastronomic experience. Between these two cities, visitors can find restaurants or inns offering Charlevois dishes. They can also go to the cafeteria of the Domaine Forget in Saint-Irénée and rub shoulders with masters of music.

Tourists can also stop at agrotourism agricultural producers who generally have a shop selling local products and picnic tables. Visitors can also take a picnic, notably at La Malbaie (at Quai Casgrain park, at Le Pélican park (Cap-à-l'Aigle sector), at the Port de Refuge de Cap-à-l'Aigle), at Saint-Irénée (at the belvedere of the Jean-Noël River waterfall, at the capelin jetty), at Les Éboulements (at the roadside rest area, at the Moulin Seigneurial or at the marine forest trail in Saint-Joseph-de-la -Rive), or in Baie-Saint-Paul (at the belvedere overlooking Baie Saint-Paul, at the Observatoire Est, at the Vieux Quai, or at Parc Boisé du Quai on the west bank of the Rivière du Gouffre).

Sleep

Along the route, visitors can stay in a variety of lodges, chalets, country houses, inns, motels or hotels. Some accommodation buildings are modern, others reflect an ancestral cachet. The hospitality of the people of Charlevoix is legendary. Charlevoix accommodation providers are generally well connected to Internet applications to present their accommodation offer, related activities and conclude the online reservation according to the calendar.