Charlevoix is a natural and authentic tourist region which extends from the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to the mouth of the Saguenay, on the North shore of the St. Lawrence River. The region owes its name to the Jesuit, François-Xavier de Charlevoix, New France’s first historian. The territory, the smallest tourist area in Québec, includes 13 municipalities from 6 sectors, four of them are part of the « Association des plus beaux villages du Québec » (The most beautiful villages of Québec Association). Saint-Siméon (Port-au-Persil), Saint-Irénée, Les Éboulements and La Malbaie (Cap à l’Aigle) reflect the amazing beauty of Charlevoix’s scenery.
Among Charlevoix’s sectors, is Isle-aux-Coudres, only accessible by ferry through Les Éboulements (Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive). This island whose name refers to the the abundance of « coudriers » (now called hazel trees) reigns on the St. Lawrence and vibrates in tune with its marine environment.
Charlevoix quickly became a favorite resort destination during the white ships era and has a long tourist tradition. As early as the 1800s, La Malbaie’s inhabitants welcomed excursionists coming to enjoy the region’s hospitality, the sun and the river’s salted water. Owning a summer residence in the region, Howard Taft, who would become President of the United States, used to say that La Malbaie’s (Murray Bay) « air intoxicates like champagne without the next day’s hangover ».
Photo: © Office du tourisme de Québec