SAINT-AIMÉ-DES-LACS
Located on the tranquil shores of Lac Nairn, Saint- Aimé-des-Lacs is a delightful little village. Enveloped by lakes and rivers, the community is a promising destination for nature lovers and fishermen. The municipal beach on Lac Nairn provides a unique site for aquatic sports, including swimming and windsurfing. ? ATTRACTIONS Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie national park Tel.: 1 800 665-6527 (reservations) / 1 866 702-9202 (information) / www.parcsquebec.com Home to one of the province?s most spectacular valleys, this Québec national park is a core area of the Charlevoix World Biosphere Reserve. Here, Rivière Malbaie winds its way peacefully between the highest rock faces east of the Canadian Rockies. The riveting decor casts a spell on the many people who come to canoe, kayak, bike, or hike through the area. Visitors can also discover the valley with a naturalist park warden aboard Le Menaud tour boat and the Rabaska. For a real workout, try the Acropole des Draveurs trail, which rewards hikers with breathtaking views from the mountain peak, the highest point of the region. The many discovery activities on tap offer visitors opportunities to learn in an exhilarating natural environment. Pets are not permitted in the Parcs Québec network. Open daily May 20 to October 9.
SAINT-HILARION
Deep in the Charlevoix hinterlands at the dizzying altitude of 500 meters stands Saint-Hilarion with its extraordinary view of the mountains. Saint-Hilarion?s church sits on a hilltop with a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. For an even better view of the rugged, meteorite-blasted Charlevoix countryside, take Cartier Street south toward Les Éboulements. There you will find a commemorative plaque in honor of the man who discovered the Charlevoix crater, Mr. Jean Rondot, as well as the history of the meteorite.
SAINT-IRÉNÉE
Highway 362 begins its long descent to Saint-Irénée amidst scenery that will take your breath away. On your way to the village, venture off the main highway for a short jaunt to Anse-au-Sac, a quaint little hamlet that?s definitely worth the detour. Once you?re back on Highway 362 and all the way down, you?ll drive by a very popular and beautiful saltwater beach of fine sand. The road then angles abruptly upward as it climbs from the sea to the highlands through the charming village that clings to its mountain perch. Here, the serene setting and stunning proximity of the river and mountain have long inspired awe. Some were so taken with Saint-Irénée?s tranquil beauty that they settled here, including such notables as Rodolphe Forget, the man behind the Québec City- Charlevoix railroad; Adolphe Routhier, author of the French lyrics of ?Oh Canada?; and Armand Lavergne, a journalist whose renown is closely associated with Sir Wilfrid Laurier. ? ATTRACTIONS Domaine Forget 5 Saint-Antoine Road, Saint-Irénée (QC) G0T 1V0 Tel.: 1 888 DFORGET / Fax: 418 452-3503 www.domaineforget.com Domaine Forget a special place where music and tranquility go hand in hand. For over a quarter century, this heritage site has facilitated meetings and interaction between renowned Canadian and foreign artists. Through its Music and Dance Academy, which is noted for the quality of its teaching, and its International Festival, which is noted for the quality and diversity of its programming, Domaine Forget has come to be a compelling force in the world of music and dance. The Festival runs from mid-June to late August, presenting some 60 events?primarily classical music, but also dance and jazz. The series ?Saison du Domaine,? which consists primarily of variety shows and world music. The rambling estate of over 60 hectares is open to the public in the summer. Informative displays scattered around the grounds tell the story of Domaine Forget before it shot to prominence in the international music community (self-guided tour).
SAINT-SIMÉON
Saint-Siméon is a showcase of nature?s diverse bounty, with its verdant woods, the St. Lawrence River, and the astonishing geomorphology of Les Palissades?L?Ascensation mountain adventure park. Long ago, passing glaciers carved out this unique region and created the ideal conditions it offers for rock climbing. Saint-Siméon likes to call itself the Hotel Village to reflect the friendliness of its inhabitants. Tourists come here to enjoy crosscountry skiing, beachcombing, outings, sugaring-off parties, snowmobiling, river cruises, camping, fishing, hunting, crafts, festivals, and more. Visitors from the South Shore can take the M.V. Trans-Saint-Laurent ferry from Rivière-du-Loup to Saint-Siméon. ? ATTRACTIONS Parc d?aventure en montagne Les Palissades 1000 170 Road, Saint-Siméon (QC) Tel.: 1 800 762-4967 / www.lascensation.com This adventure mountain park has a diverse range of outdoor adventure and mountain climbing activities. Our Guides gives courses: rock and ice climbing from beginner level and up. We also host a variety of activities including indoor climbing, via Ferrata, rappel, rope bridge, and zip line. Events range from birthday parties, family group, adventurer to team building with motivation and adventure for corporate group. Poterie de Port-au-Persil 1001 St-Laurent (route 138), St-Siméon (QC) G0T 1X0 Tel.: 418 638-2349 / Fax: 418 452-1019 www.poteriedeportaupersil.com For more than 30 years, Poterie de Port-au-Persil?s workshop and school?the oldest of its kind in Québec?has set thestandard for Québec ceramics. This pottery studio serves as a tribute to founder and master potter Pierre Legault, whose glazing research, innovative wheel techniques, and commitment to teaching helped foster a regional talent pool of international caliber. The gallery boutique features the handmade creations of 50 Québec ceramists. Every summer, Poterie de Port-au-Persil invites visitors into its studio to make and sign their own pottery creations, under the supervision of a resident or guest artist. New: a café snackbar now on the back patio welcomes visitors during studio hours. Wireless Internet service.
SAINT-URBAIN
This farming and logging village at the gateway to the majestic summits of the hinterland offers a host of outdoor sports in an extraordinary setting. The quiet pools of Rivière du Gouffre are perfect for salmon fishing. Also north of the settlement is the Traversée de Charlevoix, a 106 km long and challenging hiking trail. Saint-Urbain is also the shelter of Centre de l?émeu de Charlevoix (emu farm) and La Ferme Basque de Charlevoix (mulard duck farm), both open for tours all year long on reservation. ? ATTRACTIONS Grands-Jardins national park Tel.: 1 800 665-6527 (reservations) / 1 866 702-9202 (information) / www.parcsquebec.com A 310 km2 backcountry park (134 lakes, 7 rivers) located 35 kilometers north of Baie-Saint-Paul. Known for its vast expanses of taiga, a habitat of black spruce and lichen normally found in Northern Québec, the park offers guided interpretation activities to visitors, who can also enjoy hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking (rentals available on-site) and fishing (brook trout). After an active day outdoors, visitors will appreciate the comfort of park cabins, which are equipped with beds (bedding not included), stoves, refrigerators, cookware and dishes, propane heating, and of course, wood stoves. Accommodations are also available in winter, as well as backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. Open mid-May to late October (all year long in certain sectors and for certain activities). Charlevoix Québec for Groups and F.I.T. 2009 71
