The AmericasAugust 20206 min read
Stay at Le Manoir Richelieu and Explore the Charlevoix Region
In short
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, a historic resort on the cliff of Pointe-au-Pic in La Malbaie, makes an ideal base to explore Charlevoix, about 1.5 hours from Quebec City. On site, we enjoyed heated pools, a via ferrata above the St. Lawrence, a 27-hole golf course and the casino. Nearby, we recommend Saint-Irénée, Isle-aux-Coudres, Baie-Saint-Paul, the Charlevoix train, the Route des Saveurs and two national parks.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, a historic resort perched above the St. Lawrence in La Malbaie, is an ideal base to explore Charlevoix. We spent a family stay there in summer 2020, between pools, a via ferrata on the cliff and day trips to Saint-Irénée, Isle-aux-Coudres and Baie-Saint-Paul. Here is what we thought of the hotel and what to see around it.
Charlevoix is one of our favourite regions of Quebec, and one of its most beautiful. As you drive over its hills and valleys with the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop, it’s hard not to be charmed.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
The Property
A major landmark in Charlevoix is the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Set on the Pointe-au-Pic cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River, this 5-star property is recognized as one of the most prestigious resorts in North America.
The Manoir was built more than a century ago to welcome wealthy American families in search of beauty and a change of scenery. They arrived by boat and stayed in the area for months. The Manoir’s stature earned the town of La Malbaie the title of “cradle of Canadian vacationing”.
To this day, its historic salons host well-known personalities and world leaders, as during the 2018 G7 summit.
The hotel has a long tradition of hospitality that combines nature, the elegance of a historic resort and the flavours of Charlevoix.
The site’s rugged terrain, woods and view of the St. Lawrence invite you to relax. On sunny days, the panorama over the river is superb.
The pandemic didn’t get in the way of the welcome we received from the whole staff. The reception, the service and the small attentions were worthy of a hotel of this calibre.
Our Room
The hotel has 405 comfortable rooms and suites with timeless decor and modern amenities. Many of them overlook the resort’s terrace and the St. Lawrence River.
Our room was very spacious, with a king-size bed and a pleasant living area with a sofa bed. The boys couldn’t wait to jump into the pool, but when they saw that our room had a large jacuzzi, they put the pool off until the next day.
The Restaurants
The hotel had 4 restaurants during our stay: Le Saint-Laurent, Le Bellerive, Bar La Brise and Le Point Cardinal. Tables fill up quickly, so remember to book!
For dinner and breakfast, we enjoyed local flavours at Le Bellerive. Its large bay windows facing the river gave it a relaxed, bright atmosphere. The food was carefully prepared and delicious!
Activities at Le Manoir Richelieu
A True Resort
As I mentioned, the Manoir Richelieu was built as a resort. Time has passed, but that vocation remains.
The Manoir offers a variety of sports and recreational facilities, including:
- An outdoor swimming pool and whirlpool, open and heated even in winter.
- An indoor pool and whirlpool, plus a large sauna.
- A fitness room with weights and cardio equipment.
- A multi-sport centre with tennis, basketball, pickleball, volleyball, badminton, pétanque, mini-golf and more.
- And even an ice-skating loop and a skating rink in winter!
On top of that, all sports equipment was lent free of charge to guests!
A games room with a console, table tennis and billiards keeps the kids busy, while the grown-ups can relax at the spa, which offers a full range of massages and beauty and body treatments.
We could have stayed a week without ever getting bored.
The Via Ferrata
For outdoor and thrill-seeking enthusiasts! This activity, then new, was developed by the Manoir Richelieu with Projet Vertical, and it is exceptional. The Via Ferrata “La Charlevoix” is a 500-metre route along a cliff facing the St. Lawrence River. The activity lasts a little over 3 hours and is offered in both winter and summer.
What a joy it was to do it as a family! The boys would have gone on all day. And it’s very safe.
Picture the setting: steep cliffs with a sweeping view, perfect weather with beautiful clouds and the far shore visible in the distance, a calm St. Lawrence at high tide reflecting the blues of the sky… and the track of the Charlevoix train, which goes choo-choo as it passes below. All I can say is WOW!
Our guide Christian was super friendly and told us about the projects planned for the following years. It certainly makes us want to go back!
The Golf Club
Experienced golfers know that the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club is among the most beautiful courses in the country. With 27 holes, nine of which had been added shortly before our visit, this demanding course makes for an unforgettable round.
Just look at the view from hole #1!
The Casino de Charlevoix
For those who like to gamble, the Casino de Charlevoix is on the grounds of the Manoir Richelieu. Try your luck at poker, roulette, baccarat or the slot machines! During our visit, seats were limited because of COVID and had to be booked.
The Most Beautiful Places in Charlevoix
The Manoir Richelieu is ideally located for day trips. Charlevoix has lovely spots in the mountains and along the water, and the region is also known for its agritourism. There is something for everyone!
La Malbaie
Although the Manoir Richelieu is La Malbaie’s main attraction, the town is worth a stroll. Walking along the river at low tide at sunset is a peaceful experience, especially when you catch half a rainbow over the water after a light rain!
Saint-Irénée
The village of Saint-Irénée is a member of the most beautiful villages of Quebec. We loved walking along the beach and taking in the spectacular scenery.
Isle-aux-Coudres
On the way back to Quebec City, we stopped on Isle-aux-Coudres, an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence that reminded us of Île d’Orléans. At Les Éboulements, you turn off towards the river to board the ferry with your car. The landscapes along the river are stunning, and it’s an ideal place to unwind and breathe some sea air.
Baie-Saint-Paul
For natural beauty and tourist appeal, Baie-Saint-Paul has nothing to envy its neighbour La Malbaie. Its rugged landscape was shaped by a meteorite impact several hundred million years ago, which left a crater 56 kilometres wide stretching from Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie. No wonder Charlevoix is so beautiful! Don’t miss a walk in the bay at low tide for great photos.
Baie-Saint-Paul’s popular Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street looks like a postcard. It is known for its many art galleries, and you can find local products from Charlevoix there. By the way, did you know that the Cirque du Soleil was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul?
The Train de Charlevoix
The Train de Charlevoix is part of the region’s identity. It links Baie-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie along the river and is an original way to see scenery you can’t reach otherwise.
The Route des Saveurs
The Route des Saveurs (Flavour Trail) is an agritourism circuit that introduces visitors to Charlevoix’s local products. Think of farm-raised duck, emu, goat, lamb, pork and organic chicken, a one-of-a-kind tomato wine, cheese dairies, bakeries, chocolate shops, honey producers, cider houses and other treats. Charlevoix has it all!
2026 update: Tourisme Charlevoix relaunched a modernized Route des Saveurs in July 2025; it now brings together about 80 businesses in six categories (source).
The National Parks
Hikers will want to visit Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and climb its famous Acropole-des-Draveurs trail, which rewards you with a grand panorama.
Parc national des Grands-Jardins will also please mountain lovers. The Mont du Lac-des-Cygnes summit offers a unique view of the Charlevoix meteorite crater and the Gros-Bras valley.
Both parks are managed by the SEPAQ and offer great outdoor activities and accommodation for nature lovers.
Where Is Charlevoix?
Baie-Saint-Paul is only 60 minutes from beautiful Quebec City. Another 30 minutes takes you to La Malbaie and the Manoir Richelieu.
Conclusion
To relax, enjoy the outdoors or take in some of the grandest landscapes in Quebec, the Charlevoix region won’t disappoint. And to make the experience even more special, the Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is a must.
Questions travellers ask
Where is Le Manoir Richelieu?
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu stands on the Pointe-au-Pic cliff in La Malbaie, overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Baie-Saint-Paul is 60 minutes from Quebec City, and La Malbaie is about 30 minutes further.
What activities are available at Le Manoir Richelieu?
The resort has indoor and outdoor pools and whirlpools heated year-round, a sauna, a fitness room, a multi-sport centre, a mini-golf, a winter skating rink, a spa, a 27-hole golf course, a via ferrata, and the Casino de Charlevoix on its grounds.
How long does the Manoir Richelieu via ferrata take?
The Via Ferrata La Charlevoix is a 500-metre route along a cliff facing the St. Lawrence. The activity lasts a little over 3 hours and runs in both summer and winter. We did it as a family with our two boys.
What is there to see around La Malbaie in Charlevoix?
From the Manoir, we recommend Saint-Irénée, Isle-aux-Coudres, Baie-Saint-Paul and its Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street, the Train de Charlevoix, the Route des Saveurs, and the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie and Grands-Jardins national parks.
How many rooms does Le Manoir Richelieu have?
The hotel has 405 rooms and suites, many with views of the resort's terrace and the St. Lawrence River.