Charlevoix-Est

A mountain-and-sea resort area on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, where whale watching, canyons, and classic riverside hotels form Quebec's iconic scenery.

Charlevoix-Est is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, situated between the Charlevoix highlands and the estuary, with La Malbaie as its central town. It has been a summer resort since the 19th century, with the Pointe-au-Pic riverside promenade, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, and the casino continuing the holiday atmosphere. Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park is famous for its steep canyon walls, while whale watching is popular to the east around the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park. Domaine Forget in Saint-Irénée hosts musical events. Summer and autumn are the best times to visit, featuring stunning red leaves, while winter offers skiing at Le Massif. It is about a two-hour drive east from Quebec City along Route 138.

Destinations

• La Malbaie
• Tadoussac
• Charlevoix (Baie-Saint-Paul)

Itineraries

• Charlevoix & Saguenay Fjord Loop – Head north from Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul, Hautes-Gorges, and Tadoussac for whale watching, then loop back around…
• Quebec North Shore Whale Route & Mingan – Drive east along Route 138 to the Mingan Archipelago to see whales, puffins, and limestone monoliths.