Saint-Irénée is a municipality of the regional county municipality (MRC) of Charlevoix-Est, in the administrative region of Capitale-Nationale, on the north shore of the river Saint-Laurent, in Quebec, Canada.

The passage of the old road 362 along the beach of Saint-Irénée, the regional airport, the maritime quay and the train have historically generated a significant influx of tourists. The main attractions of Saint-Irénée are the magnificent village beach, the imposing cliff along the coast, the park straddling the fall of the village of Saint-Irénée on the Jean-Noël river, its restaurants, its diversified accommodation services for tourists, its local products... Saint-Irenée has a maritime jetty and a train station.

In terms of architecture, in Saint-Irénée, well-restored houses and modern buildings combine favorably. Several opulent villas were built by French-Canadian vacationers who were attracted by the attractions of the locality.

As part of its offer of recreational tourism activities, the locality of Saint-Irénée offers a wide range of cultural, artistic and outdoor activities. The Domaine Forget International Music Festival has acquired international renown; about thirty concerts are presented each summer in the concert hall. Several other types of musical performances are offered to the public.

Saint-Irénée is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec.

Understand

History

The parish of Saint-Irénée was canonically constituted in 1840, by detachment from the territory of Saint-Agnès (La Malbaie). The church was completed in 1844. The municipality of Saint-Irénée was founded in 1855.

The municipality's website displays a list of the main personalities who have stayed or lived in Saint-Irénée, in particular: Joseph Lavergne, judge and colleague of Wilfrid Laurier; Adolphe-Basile Routier, judge and poet, author of the words of Ô Canada; Rodolphe Forget, Member of Parliament for Charlevoix in the Commons, instigator of the railway linking Quebec and La Malbaie.

The railway connecting Quebec to La Malbaie was inaugurated in 1919. The Domaine Forget, internationally recognized for its Academy of Music and Dance, was born in 1977.

Geography

The territory is generally hilly and covered with forest; the agricultural part is mainly located in rang St-Antoine, rang St-Pierre, rang St-Nicolas and around chemin St-Louis. The main hamlets (or locality) are Saint-Irénée-les-Bains (at the top of the moraine), L'Anse-au-Sac (along the river) and Rochette (near the airport).

The land relief of Saint-Irénée is part of the Charlevoix astrobleme, the result of the impact of a meteorite (possibly up to 2 km in diameter) that fell on earth nearly 400,000 million people ago. years. This impact created a crater 54 km in diameter; it is the eleventh largest impact site identified on earth. The impact zone would be located along the St. Lawrence River; 60% of the astroblème covers the north shore of the river and 40% is located under the water of the river. The astrobleme begins on the southwest side a few kilometers west of Baie-Saint-Paul, up to Cap-à-l'Aigle, located on the east bank of the Malbaie River, in La Malbaie. The center of the astrobleme would be Mont des Éboulements (summit at 768 m), formed by the effect of the raising of the crater bottom following the impact. Since this impact, the crater has undergone significant metamorphosis under the effect of various erosion agents, making it more difficult to recognize its outline, particularly the part submerged in the St. Lawrence River. Consequently, experts define this ancient impact structure as the astrobleme. Inaugurated in 2014, an interpretation centre dedicated to the Charlevoix astrobleme is open to the public; this interpretation center is housed in the former Club House of the Manoir Richelieu.

Economy

According to statistics from the municipality, 30% of the residences in Saint-Irénée are second homes. Agriculture in Saint-Irénée covers 707 hectares of land and represents 26% of farms throughout the MRC. Commercial activities are mainly focused on tourism: arts and crafts shops, restaurants, accommodation (hotels, lodges, inns) and other providers of recreational tourism activities.

Get in

By car

• From Tadoussac (89 km (55 mi), 1 hr 36 min), return the Tadoussac-Baie Sainte-Catherine ferry; take route 138 (westbound) to the village of La Malbaie; after the bridge spanning the Malbaie river, take route 362 to the village of Saint-Irénée.
• From Quebec City (124 km (77 mi), 1 hr 30 min), take route 138 eastbound to the village of Baie-Saint-Paul; take route 362 along the Saint-Laurent river to the village of Saint-Irénée.

By train

• 1 Saint-Irénée station, Route 362 (Chemin des Bains) (located at beach). (updated Nov 2023)
  • Train de Charlevoix, ☏ +1 418-240-4124, info@reseaucharlevoix.com. (updated Nov 2023) Route:
    • Operates a daily train between Quebec City and La Malbaie with stops in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Baie-Saint-Paul, Les Éboulements, and Saint-Irénée. The trains departs in the morning from Quebec City and in the afternoon from La Malbaie. This tourist train runs 125 km with views of the Saint Lawrence River and mountains.

By boat

Saint-Irénée is accessible in season by pleasure boat using the municipal beach. The old wharf had been repaired several decades ago and rocked in order to solidify it to ensure its sustainability. Thus, the old wharf has become a jetty as a result of the rip-rap, which is able to withstand the large waves of the river. Since the rip-rap, pleasure craft can no longer land there. Today the Capelin Pier is a public place for various local events.

• 2 Jetée des capelans, 545, chemin des Bains, no. 247. Jetty jutting out onto the shore of the St. Lawrence River. Every summer, a few social events are organized on this quay of Saint-Irénée, in particular artistic performances under the aegis of Domaine Forget. 

By plane

Saint-Irénée is accessible by the airport managed by the MRC de Charlevoix-Est.

• 3 Aéroport de Saint-Irénée, 400, rang Sainte-Madeleine, ☏ +1 418-452-3417, aeroportdecharlevoix@mrccharlevoixest.ca. Regional airport built in 1962, with an area of 103 hectares. In 2003-2004, the runway and the parking and taxiing areas for aircraft were completely redone; a new terminal was built. The terminal has a waiting room, administrative counter, public washrooms, operations office, conference room and boarding area. The runway is paved and stretches 4,500 feet long by 150 feet wide. 

See

Saint-Irénée has many well-restored houses and modern buildings. Several opulent villas were built by French-Canadian vacationers who were attracted by the attractions of the locality.

• 1 Domaine Forget, 5, rang Saint-Antoine, ☏ +1 418 452-8111, +1 418 452-3535, info@domaineforget.com. Domaine Forget was created in 1978. Annually, the International Music Festival takes place at Domaine Forget. About thirty concerts are presented there. Built in 1996, the Domaine Forget concert hall has a capacity of 600 people and features high acoustics and specially designed for musical performances. Domaine Forget offers an extremely diverse annual artistic calendar. The superb landscaped arrangements of Domaine Forget are worth a detour; sometimes, guided tours are organized on this Estate. Visitors can walk self-guided through the Alcoa Sculpture Alley to view several permanent works of art. (updated Dec 2021)
• Belvédère de la chute de la rivière Jean-Noël, rue Principale. After having drained the agricultural and forest areas on the plateau, the Jean-Noël river descends the moraine to the village of Saint-Irénée. A municipal belvedere allows you to admire the play of the water in the waterfall and the landscape. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Cimetière Saint-Irénée, rue du Fleuve. Cemetery located at the top of the moraine, near the church. (updated Dec 2021)

Tourist routes

• La route des saveurs (The route of flavors). Thanks to the presentation on the Tourisme-Charlevoix website, epicureans can treat themselves to a gastronomic adventure on the Route des Saveurs, from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to La Malbaie via the backcountry. This tour of flavors among producers generates a diversity of taste experiences of local products: ciders, craft beers, cheeses and fine chocolates, organic meats, ducks and market garden products. This agritourism among producers allows you to taste, taste or dine. (updated Dec 2021)
• Circuit agroartistique PAYS'ART 2021 (Circuit agroartistique PAYS'ART 2021), ☏ +1 418 435-2639, availlancourt@mrccharlevoix.ca. Pays’Art is an agro-artistic circuit throughout Charlevoix aimed at discovering the region's agricultural landscapes and the businesses that maintain them. Each site visited includes ephemeral and distinctive art installations. Three of the 10 works produced in 2021 are in Saint-Irénée:Closes the Côte des Bouleaux (Rang Terrebonne),Charlevoix fisheries (Anse-au-Sac road),Roger Gauthier pigsty (rang Saint-Pierre).This agro-artistic program will continue in 2022. (updated Dec 2021)
• Circuit des sept lieux (Seven places circuit). Seven exceptional cultural sites in Charlevoix have been selected to bring the Regional Culture Experience to life: Espace muséal des Petites Franciscaines de Marie, Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul, Les Moulins de l'Isle-aux-Coudres, Musée maritime de Charlevoix, Papeterie Saint-Gilles, Musée de Charlevoix, Forge-menuiserie Cauchon. These museums, economuseums and interpretation sites are seen as ingenious, lively, fun and fabulous. In this cultural circuit, visitors will be able to see artisans at work, admire artistic works in various forms. Thus, this circuit allows you to discover the history and traditions of the region, in particular the Charlevoix Museum and the Cauchon Forge-Menuiserie in La Malbaie. Just connect to: @ circuit7lieux. (updated Dec 2021)
• La route des métiers d'art (The arts and crafts route). Thanks to the BaladoDécouverte application, this road circuit between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie, shows the creations and know-how of artists and artisans of the Charlevoix region. Beginning in Baie-Saint-Paul, this circuit passes through La Malbaie, and goes to Port-au-Persil. This podcast guides visitors through the shops and places of creation of the members of the Corporation des Métiers d'Art en Charlevoix. (updated Dec 2021)
• Circuit du patrimoine religieux (Religious heritage circuit). The Christianity movement until the second half of the 20th century left an indelible religious heritage of inestimable value in Charlevoix. This circuit takes visitors to tour seven religious buildings: the Chapel of Grand-Fonds, the Church of Pointe-au-Pic, the Church of Sainte-Agnès, the Church of Saint-Étienne de La Malbaie, the Monastery of the Glorious Cross, Murray Bay Protestant Church, St-Peter-on-the-Rock and the Site of the Cross cemetery. (updated Dec 2021)
• La route du fleuve (The river route). The Route du Fleuve (route 362) is a panoramic circuit over 58 kilometers from Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie, passing through the picturesque towns of Les Éboulements and Saint-Irénée, along overhanging the northern coast. The bucolic views over the river show the maritime animation (passage of a boat, fog, cloud, storm, play of the sun) and panoramas that can change from hour to hour. The points of interest on this tour reflect the great history of this region where forestry, recreational tourism, marine activity and the mountains have shaped the way of life. This intoxicating panoramic circuit is one of the most picturesque in Quebec. (updated Dec 2021)

Do

Saint-Irénée offers a wide range of cultural, artistic and outdoor activities. The Domaine Forget International Music Festival has acquired international fame; Around thirty concerts are presented each summer in the concert hall. Several other types of musical performances are offered to the public

• 1 Les Écuries Entre Monts et Marées, 645, rang St-Antoine, ☏ +1 418-452-3261. Equestrian centre offering horse trekking, sleigh rides, boarding and horse training services. This centre has an indoor arena. Riding school. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Pêche au capelan (Capelin fishing), 15, route du Fleuve (The municipal beach), ☏ +1 418-452-3261. Annually, in April and May, residents and visitors fish for capelin on the beaches of Saint-Irénée. Schools of capelin live mainly in schools on the high seas; however, individuals between 2 and 6 years old will spawn on beaches and sandy bottoms in April and May. Capelin spawning (mating season) is done in considerable shoals by rolling on the sand to deposit their eggs. At the start of the season, schools of capelin arrive discreetly at night. The dates when capelin roll on the beach vary from year to year. Schools of fish can roll on different dates depending on the sector. Residents of the North Shore of Quebec collect capelin with their bare hands on beaches, with a net or by any other means to put them in a boiler. Capelin live between 2 and 5 years. Females can grow up to 20 cm and males up to 25 cm. Capelin is a delicious dish about the size of an anchovy. (updated Dec 2021)

Buy

Foods and alcohol

• Dépanneur Chez Léon & Lily, 180, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418 452-0020. (updated Dec 2021)

Agrotourism

• Ferme La Côte des Bouleaux, 15, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418 452-1032. Seasonal. Sale of vegetables grown on site. (updated Dec 2021)
• Pêcheries Charlevoix, 1845, chemin de l'Anse-au-Sac, ☏ +1 418 808-4224. Handcrafted fascine fishing for three generations. Artisanal fishermen capture and sell their fish, fresh or prepared, to the public at the family residence. (updated Dec 2021)

Others

• 1 Les Ateliers Charlevoix, 1131, rang Terrebonne (route 362), ☏ +1 418-452-3229, lesatelierscharlevoix@gmail.com. May 1 to October 30: daily 08:00-18:00. Art gallery established in 1985. This workshop offers the exclusive works of Joan DeBlois and Stéphane Bouchard, either Raku (Japanese cooking method), functional pottery. This gallery also offers recent paintings by painter Marc DeBlois. The Parallèle boutique presents a contemporary urban collection. Generally, visitors can rub shoulders with artists who are then in artistic creation mode. (updated Aug 2019)
• 2 Juan Cristobal (artist-painter), 725, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-3555, juancristobal@sympatico.ca. June 1 to October 15: daily 10:00-18:00, and from October 16 to May 30, by appointment. Its exhibition site exhibits a wide variety of works (originals and giclee reproductions on canvas). His artistic style is varied, including panoramas typical of Charlevoix, scenes with figures, gardens and flowers, still lifes and scenes from Quebec City. His figurative work is inspired by classical realism and romanticism. (updated Aug 2019)
• 3 Atelier Jeannot Duguay, 315, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-452-3518. Open all year round, every day. The blacksmith Jeannot Duguay is a well renowned craftsman in Charlevoix; his distinctive and original works. Visitors can meet him at his workshop-boutique L'Idée Forgée. (updated Aug 2019)
• 4 L'antiquaire de Saint-Irénée, 55, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-8266, +1 418-663-7443, bonneauroy@videotron.ca. Summer season (from Feast of Saint-Jean-Baptiste in late June to Labour Day in early September): every day from 10:00 to 17:00. Antique shop: furniture, lamps, crockery, trinkets and other old objects (decorative, utility and unusual). Specialty: chests of all kinds. (updated Aug 2019)

Eat

• 1 Restaurant Le St-Laurent Café, 505, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-452-3408. In summer: open every day. October to May: weekends only.. Catering: 40 seats, plus 30 on the terrace. Supper. 
• 2 Restaurant Le SAINTI, 150, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-9266. Open year round. Reservation of a table by Internet. Reception capacity: 48 (inside) and 48 (on the terrace). Catering: dinner, dinner and Sunday brunch. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Casse-Croute chez Ginette, 190, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 581-326-8181. Open in summer. Catering: lunch and dinner. (updated Dec 2021)
• 4 Brunches-musiques du Domaine Forget, 5, rang Saint-Antoine, ☏ +1 418-452-3535. Every Sunday during the summer season. Number of seats: 150. (updated Dec 2021)

Sleep

Hôtels, motels

• 1 Le 362, 160, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-9266. Free Wi-Fi. Hotel located in the village, facing the beach. Offer of ten rooms and two rental condos available year round. Renovated and redecorated for 2021. (updated Dec 2021)
• 2 Manoir Hortensia, 850, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-8180, relax@manoirhortensia.com. B&B ayant une magnifique vue sur le fleuve Saint-Laurent. (updated Dec 2021)
• 3 Hôtel Le Rustique, 285, rue Principale, ☏ +1 418-452-8250, lerustique2020@gmail.com. Open in summer. Hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Room and studio rental. Restaurant (50 seats): breakfast, lunch and dinner. (updated Dec 2021)

Gîtes, chalets

• 4 Au Pied Marin, 1465, chemin du Ruisseau Jureux. (updated Dec 2021)
• Chez Maleterre, 545, rue Principale, ☏ +1 514-692-5477. Gîte and B&B. (updated Dec 2021)
• 5 Domaine du Fleuve, 320, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-3213. Five condos for rent facing the St. Lawrence River. (updated Dec 2021)
• 6 Gîte La Luciole, 35, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-452-8283, info@laluciole.ca. Rental chalet facing the shore of the Saint-Laurent river. (updated Dec 2021)
• 7 Jonquille de l'Anse, 250, chemin de l'Anse-au-Sac. (updated Dec 2021)
• 8 La marguerite du Saint-Laurent, 725, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 418-633-0380. Chalet rental. (updated Dec 2021)
• 9 La Perle Bleue de la Plage, 290, chemin des Bains, ☏ +1 514-992-9250. Rental chalet facing the shore of the Saint-Laurent river. (updated Dec 2021)
• 10 La Petite Valise, 510, chemin des Bains. Located near the St. Lawrence River. (updated Dec 2021)
• Maison aux Lucarnes, 1021, rang Terrebonne, ☏ +1 418-665-3318, info@domainefraisair.com. Chalet for rent. (updated Dec 2021)
• Maison de Campagne St-Irénée, 1529, chemin du Ruisseau Jureux, ☏ +1 514-887-7111. Victorian-style house with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River. (updated Dec 2021)
• 11 Maison de tourisme "SurLaGallerie", 1508, chemin du Ruisseau Jureux, ☏ +1 514-887-7111. Four-bedroom house with unique character, three bathrooms and a powder room, a fireplace, a laundry room, a garden level. Furnished on three floors. Magnificent gallery. (updated Dec 2021)
• 12 Ma fenêtre sur le fleuve, 720, chemin des Bains. (updated Dec 2021)
• 13 Maison de Campagne La Mer à Voir, 1563, chemin du Mitan, ☏ +1 418-452-3355. (updated Dec 2021)
• 14 Villa La Falaise, 16544, rue Hameau du Cap Blanc, Saint-Irénée, Qc, G0T 1V0, ☏ +1 418-933-0896. House of recent construction erected on the mountainside. Top-of-the-range equipment, high-class decoration, 4-season spa, pool table, view overlooking the St. Lawrence River. (updated Dec 2021)
• 15 Villa Lyla, rue des Quatre-Domaines, Saint-Irénée. (updated Dec 2021)

Cope

• Bibliothèque Adolphe-Basile-Routhier (Adolphe-Basile-Routhier Library), 400, rue Principale, bibliothèque@saintirenee.ca. Tuesday: 16:00-18:00; Saturday: 10:00-noon. Municipal library founded in 1991. Library named Adolphpe-Basile-Routhier in honour of the prolific writer who wrote the French lyrics for the national anthem O Canada; he ended his days at Saint-Irénée. Affiliated with the Biblio Network. The organization of the library is done by volunteers. Free. (updated Oct 2021)

Go next

Routes through Saint-Irénée

Baie-Saint-Paul ← Saint-Irénée ←

W  E

→ La Malbaie

• 1 Les Éboulements Municipality on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. The offer of recreational tourism activities and services is high: resorts, accommodation, restaurants, beach, kayaks, holiday camp, hiking, mountain biking, dog sled excursions, snowmobiling, museums, agritourism, its shops selling local products. The village of Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive is legendary for its Grande-Côte, its marine character and the ferry leading to Île aux Coudres.
• 2 Saint-Hilarion (Quebec) The village of Saint-Hilarion overlooks the surrounding valley. Annually, a carnival is organized. Locality offering many recreational and tourist activities: resort, bowling, skating rink, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sliding, mountain biking, and snowmobiling.
• 3 Notre-Dame-des-Monts Village surrounded by mountains, offering magnificent panoramas. The summit of Gros Mont overlooks the region. The forest and mountainous nature offers many attractions, in particular ATV and snowmobile rides.
• 4 Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs A locality offering plenty of recreational tourism activities (vacation, fishing, nautical activities, cross-Canada hiking trails and local trails in the Grands Monts sector, observation of the nautical, flora and fauna). Several organizations offer many services: the zec des Martes, the outfitter of Pic-Bois and the Hautes-Gorges de la rivière Malbaie national park Among the main events, there is the Charlevoix triathlon and the Charleboix rodeo (end of June).
• 5 Mont-Élie An unorganized territory of the MRC de Charlevoix-Est. This territory is famous for recreational tourism activities in the wilderness, including vacationing, hunting, fishing, as well as the observation of landscapes, flora and fauna.
• 6 Clermont (Charlevoix-Est) Town enclosed between the mountains and bordering on the town of La Malbaie. Its territory is crossed by the Malbaie River and by Route 138 which runs along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.
• 7 La Malbaie A super-tourist municipality on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, offering many recreational and tourism activities, a developed reception infrastructure (resorts, accommodation, restaurants, shops, Charlevoix casino, Richelieu manor, golf, hiking, museums) and many attractions around the bay and the La Malbaie River.