La Malbaie

A century-old summer resort on the Saint Lawrence River. The castle-style Manoir Richelieu overlooks the river mouth, summer brings concerts at the Domaine Forget Music Festival, and autumn means fall foliage along the riverside road.

La Malbaie lies in the Charlevoix region of eastern Quebec, where the Malbaie River flows into the Saint Lawrence. It is about 140 km from Quebec City, roughly 2 hours by car. As early as the 19th century, it was a summer retreat for American and Canadian high society. U.S. President William Howard Taft spent summers here, and the castle-style Manoir Richelieu hotel remains a landmark. The 2018 G7 summit was also held here. The town has three main areas: Pointe-au-Pic, home to the hotel, casino, museum and riverside promenade; the downtown core; and Cap-à-l'Aigle on the eastern bank of the river mouth. To the southwest, Saint-Irénée has the Domaine Forget Music Festival and beaches. The best time to visit is June through August, when the weather is cool and perfect for riverside strolls, concerts and driving the Route 362 riverside road. Late September to early October brings a blaze of autumn color, the most beautiful time of year. Winters are cold and snowy, and skiing at Mont Grand-Fonds is the main activity. About 40 km north, Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park (covered in the Baie-Saint-Paul entry) is the most important day trip. To the east, Tadoussac is the place for whale watching. Driving is the main way to get around, though you can also take the Charlevoix tourist train from Quebec City along the river. Plan to stay 2 days: one for the town and one for the nearby park or the riverside road.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries