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Photo credit: Alain Blanchette
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is a small village wedged between the St. Lawrence River and the skiable mountain of Le Massif in Charlevoix.
The municipality is the first area that was populated in the Charlevoix region. Given the region’s splendour, it’s easy to understand why colonizers chose this area to establish themselves in.
Although the village has a configuration that leaves little room for improvisation, it offers many activities.
Here’s our list of the best things to do in the summer in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Book a cottage for rent in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François now to enjoy these activities!
Photo credit: Canyoning-Québec
Petite-Rivière offers an exceptional site for practising canyoning on the slopes of the Massif de Charlevoix.
A stream that has seven waterfalls flows down the mountain and will keep you busy all day long.
Jumping into the river basins. Sliding on smooth rocks covered with green moss. Exploring difficult-to-access natural areas. Abseiling. Short swims in the sections of streams that can be found in between the waterfalls. All of these activities sum up those you can participate in at Le Canyon du Massif!
Since the waterfalls must be descended by rope, the outing should be undertaken with the necessary equipment and the guidance of a professional guide. Contact the Canyoning-Québec team to find out more.
The excursion is recommended for beginners who are in good physical condition. Those who wish to access the activity need to meet the minimum age requirement of 14 years, and the groups must consist of 4 to 8 participants.
Book a cottage for rent at the Massif de Charlevoix.
Photo credit: Le Massif de Charlevoix
Located in the municipality of Petite-Rivière, the Massif de Charlevoix ski resort attracts a vast number of Quebecers interested in skiing.
Originally conceived as a winter sports resort, Le Massif has chosen to adapt and offer more services to its clientele.
Over recent years, Le Massif ski resort has been transformed into a 4-season resort.
Lift equipment is in operation to allow the mountain to be discovered at the end of the summer and early autumn.
Transportation by gondola is a simple and easy way to discover incredible landscapes. The view of the St. Lawrence River, l’Isle-aux-Coudres, and the south shore is breathtaking!
If your day’s schedule allows, take the opportunity to stroll along the mountain’s hiking trails.
Photo credit: Municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François
Parc des Riverains comprises a wharf, a playground and outdoor activities located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River.
The playground is intended for young children, while the adjacent volleyball court will attract adults.
It’s the perfect place to go for a walk or get some fresh air with your family during the beautiful season in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
The park also has a picnic area—the poutine at the pier’s snack bar is irresistible! It features wooden tables and a parking space that facilitates easy access.
The park also features a small sandy beach situated on the banks of the Saint-Lawrence that allows sunbathing.
Photo credit: Caroline Perron
The Charlevoix tourist train connects La Malbaie to Quebec City, passing through Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Two refurbished DB-Baureihe Class 628.1 railcars from Deutsche Bahn provide three to four daily journeys in each direction on this 125-km route.
The railway line is practically at sea level, and the mountain flows almost directly into the St. Lawrence River along the entirety of the route.
Travelling along the railway, the distance between the rails and the Saint Lawrence River is so small that travellers sometimes get the sensation of crashing into the waves.
The panoramic view of the St. Lawrence from places that are usually inaccessible to pedestrians guarantees beautiful travel snapshots.
Photo credit: Municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François
The first settlers who established themselves in Petite-Rivière in the 17th century made the St. Lawrence a part of their daily lives. In times past, eel fishing, woodcutting and processing, and schooner manufacturing were among the location’s main economic drivers.
The area’s past economic activity is quite understandable given the river is always nearby, no matter where you are in the village.
Approaching the river’s edge for a walk along the riverside, one can appreciate the sea air permeating the atmosphere.
The quay, whose past main economic activity has given way to tourism, is now an ideal location for sitting and admiring the seaside scenery.
As you walk along the pier, you will feel as though you’re walking into the river, allowing you to have a unique view of the St. Lawrence River and the chance to take some rather stylish panoramic photos.
Photo credit: Frédérique Sauvée
During the summertime in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, Le Massif offers mountain biking activities, where you can optionally be lifted by gondola.
The only difference between being lifted by gondola or not is the amount of effort needed to experience the pleasure of descending the slopes of Le Massif.
Like alpine skiing, mountain biking at Le Massif provides a good dose of thrills and adrenaline in an exceptional panorama.
Should you opt to do the activity in autumn, you will be able to admire the beautiful colours that Mother Nature gives to the forests of Charlevoix.
Le Massif’s network of mountain bike trails currently spans a length of 20 km. However, the resort is already talking about the possibility of extending it by a few dozen kilometres to meet the high demand. Whether these trails are expanded is something to be closely followed, but Groupe Le Massif generally keeps its promises.
Photo credit: Claude Fortin
The Massif de Charlevoix resort is located at the centre of a network of hiking trails that are open in the summer and winter, the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix.
In the summer, it’s an opportunity to explore tens of kilometres of hiking trails.
With their location in the heart of the forest, these trails allow you to discover fauna and flora that owe their uniqueness to their proximity to both mountain and sea.
Featuring shelters, multiple observation points and directional signage, the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix has everything in place for an enjoyable day in the great outdoors.
The Sentier Gabrielle-Roy-Est is a 6.3-kilometre intermediate-level trail that reaches the top of Gabrielle-Roy Mountain in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Several vantage points throughout the trail and a promontory established on the mountaintop provide panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River and surrounding mountains.
The Gabrielle-Roy-Ouest trail is of an intermediate-level and has a total length of 10.5 kilometres.
The trail starts at the Sentier des Caps trail and, in a winding mountain path, highlights a mixed forest mainly populated by maple, pine and beech trees.
Check out our other articles on the best things to do in the Charlevoix region!