 |
|
Baie-Saint-Paul
1
|
|
Brush strokes glide onto the canvas, glowing with autumn colours, dotting the
horizon with reds and oranges against a blue sky. Mountains are sketched in
the distance while the valleys and hillside are positioned beside the majestic
waters of the mighty St.
Lawrence River. As the canvas begins to take form, a picture emerges.
It is a portrait of a small village; it is of Baie-Saint-Paul.
Baie-Saint-Paul's picture perfect setting is due to its location along the
northern shore of the St. Lawrence River in the Charlevoix region of Quebec.
The mountainous terrain and waters have inspired many artists, past and present,
to convey the colours and landscapes from the region on canvas. The land has
also blessed Baie-Saint-Paul with natural parks
and gardens filled with a diverse mixture of plants and wildlife. As well, agriculture
has played an important role in the area, supplying quality products and ingredients
used to create gastronomic meals at the multiple restaurants
located in the village.
GEOGRAPHY
Baie-Saint-Paul’s landscape was in part formed by a meteorite that fell 350
million years ago onto the region leaving a massive crater measuring 64 km (40
mi) wide, reaching west of Baie-Saint-Paul to the east of La
Malbaie. The St. Lawrence River covers part of the crater. Other factors
that shaped the terrain include earthquakes and glaciation. Charlevoix is located
on an active earthquake zone in Eastern Canada
and major quakes occurred near Baie-Saint-Paul on December 6, 1791, and on October
20, 1870. The region has been designated a World Biosphere Reserve by the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). This designation
promotes the conservation of ecosystems found in Baie-Saint-Paul and Charlevoix.
Baie-Saint-Paul is surrounded by other picturesque villages including Saint-Irenee,
Petite-Riviere-Saint-Francois, La Malbaie and Isle-aux-Coudres.
Activities and attractions in the region include whale-watching,
hiking, cycling and visiting boutiques
and heritage sites. Popular destinations include the ski resort Le
Massif, music concerts at Domaine
Forget in Saint-Irenee and the Charlevoix
Casino.
ACCOMMODATIONS
| |
 |
| |
Village Centre
2
|
Hospitality and warmth continue to be important values to the people of Baie-Saint-Paul
and this is evident in the numerous accommodations
that are found throughout the village and region. Guests can choose from several
lodgings, some of which are century-old homes that have been transformed into
bed & breakfasts and inns, modern hotels and rustic chalets. Gourmet meals
are often available at accommodations and many are designated as locations on
the Charlevoix
Tourism Association's “Flavour Trail.” Camping is also popular with
many natural sites and national parks available including Camping
Parc National des Grands-Jardins and Camping
Parc National des hautes-gorges-riviere-Malbaie-Le Cran.
TRANSPORTATION
Highway 138 is the main access route to Baie-Saint-Paul. Montreal
is approximately four to five hours away by car and Quebec
City is only two hours from the village by car. For a scenic route,
travel along Shore
Road or route 362 and view the shores of the St. Lawrence River and
other villages. This road was once the main highway and stretches between Baie-Saint-Paul
and La Malbaie. Ferries allow visitors to explore other areas of Charlevoix
including Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive
Ferry to the Isle-aux-Coudres. Intercar provides bus transportation
to Baie-Saint-Paul and other villages from Quebec City and Montreal. A shuttle
service is also available from Baie-Saint-Paul to the skiing destination Le
Massif.
WEATHER
Baie-Saint-Paul experiences four distinct seasons. The coldest month is January
with a daily average of -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) and the hottest month is July with
a daily average of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Autumn in the village is particularly stunning,
as the leaves turn red and gold, highlighting the landscapes. Celebrate the
autumn splendour at the art festival Reves
d'automne, Festival paysages en peinture.
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
-18.2°C
(-0.8°F) |
-6.9°C
(19.6°F) |
14.0
mm |
| Feb |
-16°C
(3.2°F) |
-4.5°C
(23.9°F) |
12.7
mm |
| Mar
|
-9.5°C
(14.9°F) |
0.7°C
(33.3°F) |
39.2
mm |
| Apr |
-1.6°C
(29.1°F) |
7.4°C
(45.3°F) |
76.1
mm |
| May
|
4.5°C
(40.1°F) |
15.6°C
(60.1°F) |
95.0
mm |
| Jun
|
10.0°C
(50.0°F) |
21.2°C
(70.2°F) |
94.7
mm |
| Jul |
12.9°C
(55.2°F) |
23.9°C
(75.0°F) |
86.3
mm |
|
Aug |
11.7°C
(53.1°F) |
22.5°C
(72.5°F) |
85.9
mm |
|
Sep |
7.1°C
(44.8°F) |
17.3°C
(63.1°F) |
83.4
mm |
|
Oct |
1.8°C
(35.2°F) |
10.8°C
(51.4°F) |
78.5
mm |
|
Nov |
-4.4°C
(24.1°F) |
3.5°C
(38.3°F) |
53.0
mm |
|
Dec |
-13.5°C
(7.7°F) |
-3.8°C
(25.2°F) |
9.4
mm |
|
|
|
Climate
Data from
Environment Canada
|
|
CULTURE/ECONOMY
The culture and economy of Baie-Saint-Paul encompasses a thriving arts scene,
charming boutiques, fine-dining and breathtaking scenery. Several art
galleries and shops are found in the village and it is evident that
the landscapes and natural beauty of the region continue to inspire artists.
People take time to enjoy a good meal and appreciate the quality of regional
products used at restaurants, many found along the main street of Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Historic homes also line this street, adding a sense of history and charm for
tourists and residents. Several events
and festivals take place throughout the year, providing a festive atmosphere
such as the International
Contemporary Art Symposium of Baie-Saint-Paul, Les Muses and Magie
Blanche. Many of these events feature works by local artists on display
and allow the public to meet with artists and discuss their artwork.
Artists
Baie-Saint-Paul’s rugged land, bordered by the Laurentian
Mountains and the St. Lawrence River, has been portrayed in several
paintings. Clarence Gagnon was born in Montreal and studied painting abroad
in France and
then returned to Canada where he lived in Montreal and Baie-Saint-Paul. His
oil paintings and sketches reveal the splendour of the region. Other artists
that have depicted images of Baie-Saint-Paul and the Charlevoix terrain in paintings
were A.Y. Jackson, a member of the Group of Seven and Jean-Paul Lemieux. The
Maison de Rene Richard, Galerie d’art, is a gallery that was once the
home of the painter Rene Richard, who lived in Baie-Saint-Paul and was also
inspired by the environment of the Charlevoix region.
Cirque de Soleil
The beginnings of this entertainment company started on the streets of Baie-Saint-Paul
in 1984. Street performers Guy Laliberte and Daniel Gauthier formed the company
which is now based in Montreal. The early group was called Les Echassiers de
Baie-Saint-Paul or the Baie-Saint-Paul Stilt-walkers. Today, the circus includes
a number of elements from ballet, circus and opera and has performances from
contortionists, jugglers and trapeze artists. All shows are choreographed with
live music and performers are dressed in colourful costumes.
ATTRACTIONS
 |
|
Reves D'Automne
Festival 3
|
|
Domaine
Charlevoix
Constructed in 1990, the Domaine Charlevoix encompasses 210 hectares (520 acres)
of land and is set between the sea and mountains. Indigenous flora and fauna
mark the numerous hiking trails and paths, leading to the Surprenante and Magnifique
waterfalls and the St. Lawrence River. Two terraces provide panoramic views
of the region. One terrace is the Felix
Antoine Savard, connected to a restaurant located at the park. At a
height of 390 m (1280 ft), the Felix Antoine Savard provides views of the neighbouring
villages of Petite-Riviere-Saint-Francois, Les
Eboulements and Isle-aux-Coudres. The Rene-Richard terrace is located
50 m (164 feet) from the St. Lawrence River and provides views of the waters.
Other services located in the park include a visitor centre, tea room, pavilion
and an old manor house. Together, these features allow visitors to appreciate
the beauty and history of Baie-Saint-Paul and the Charlevoix territory.
Centre
d’histoire naturelle de Charlevoix
Explore the geography of the region by learning about the Charlevoix crater
and its impact on the area. A number of excursions and activities are offered
by the Centre d'histoire naturelle de Charlevoix, including a bus trip and tour
to the crater as well as a guided nature trip. Adventurous tourists can tour
the region on bike accompanied by an audio guide and map.
Centre
d'exposition de Baie-Saint-Paul
Renowned for its architectural design, the Centre d'exposition de Baie-Saint-Paul
is a vital organization promoting contemporary art in Baie-Saint-Paul. Many
exhibits showcase current themes and modern art (1930-1960). This cultural hub
is the setting for many activities and it organizes the annual International
Contemporary Art Symposium of Baie-Saint-Paul, celebrating creativity and innovation.
At this event, artists create works of art in front of the public and also conduct
speeches and meet with the audience.
Cuisine
Just as the landscape of Baie-Saint-Paul has left an impression on artists,
the gastronomic table-scape of this village has inspired culinary artists to
create meal masterpieces. Plates become a canvas to display the exceptional
products of the area: aromatic herbs, garden fresh produce, tender veal, savoury
cheeses and smooth pates. Visitors to the region can visit farms, dairies and
breweries to sample products and tour the facilities. Stroll the streets and
choose from several restaurants, many of which are found in accommodations located
throughout the village and along the main street, Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
 |
|
Baie-Saint-Paul
Panorama 4
|
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Francois Rivard; c/o Marc Giasson, Marketing, Tourisme Charlevoix; Baie-Saint-Paul;
Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, Canada
- Francois Rivard; c/o Marc Giasson, Marketing, Tourisme Charlevoix; Village
Centre; Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, Canada
- Antoine Girard; c/o Marc Giasson, Marketing, Tourisme Charlevoix; Reves
D'Automne Festival; Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, Canada
- Francois Rivard; c/o Marc Giasson, Marketing, Tourisme Charlevoix; Baie-Saint-Paul
Panorama; Baie-Saint-Paul, QC, Canada
