Baie-Saint-Paul: Painted Landscapes

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.

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

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