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Photo credit: Robert Chiasson
Over the years, the Charlevoix region has established itself as a well-known winter destination throughout the province of Quebec. The activities to do in the winter in and around Baie-Saint-Paul are, therefore, very numerous.
With so much space to breathe fresh air, winter activities in Baie-Saint-Paul are more focused on winter sports. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dogsledding are among the things to do or experience in the winter in Baie-Saint-Paul.
Visitors in need of an idea or those looking to plan their stay in Baie-Saint-Paul will find their ideal match thanks to our article on the 9 things to do in winter in Baie-Saint-Paul.
Book a cottage for rent in Baie-Saint-Paul now to enjoy these activities!
Photo credit: SAQ.com
During the Marché de Noël de Baie-Saint-Paul (“Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market”), local producers and artisans gather to impress visitors with their finest products- often edible and delicious. There’s no denying that the keyword of this Christmas market is the pleasure of the taste buds, with a priority given to local products from the Charlevoix region.
The Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas market is also a great opportunity to spend some good time with your family on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street. This quality time will probably allow you to combine practicality with pleasantness by making one or more finds to put under the Christmas tree.
Initiated in 2008, the Baie-Saint-Paul Christmas Market is a tradition imported from Europe that takes place over two weekends, in late November and early December, and whose first weekend is marked by an opening show.
Many activities take place during the day and evening over the course of two weekends, and if you’re lucky enough, you can even catch a glimpse of the real Santa Claus.
Photo credit: Elevate
The Route des Saveurs (“The Flavour Trail”) tourist circuit aims to introduce products from the Charlevoix region. For the visitor, it is the certainty of appreciating local, high-quality products.
The participating merchants of the agritourism route are local artisans and producers showcasing the products of the Charlevoix region. Baie-Saint-Paul is one of the ends of this trail where more than twenty professionals are active.
In a relatively small area around Baie-Saint-Paul, you can meet artisans who are happy and proud to share their know-how. Their products are an eloquent testimony to this.
Be aware, however, that the products of these local merchants are likely to end up on your plate if you visit one of the restaurants in the city, since many restaurateurs highlight the gourmet products of the region in their menus. If your time is limited, it’s a great way to accomplish two things at once!
A few chalets for rent in this region
Photo credit: La Reine et le Millionnaire
Serving as a means of transportation for the settlers of the Canadian Far North of yesteryear, dog sledding is now a recreational—even sporty—activity for some.
In winter, in Baie-Saint-Paul, the La Reine et le Millionnaire kennel offers its dog teams to take you on the snowy trails of the region. Behind your spirited dogs, be sure to gaze at the postcard-like landscapes where the vast whiteness of the snowpack sparkles under the sun’s rays.
Depending on your level of dog sledding experience, you can be guided by the musher (a sled driver pulled by a team of dogs) or, if you have the experience—and the will—you can take control of the hitch yourself.
The most seasoned visitors can let themselves be tempted by the five-day dog sled expeditions with overnight stays at the shelter, a unique adventure that requires very good physical condition and that is reserved for athletes who have nerves of steel.
Photo credit: Skiglisse
Many hiking trails in Baie-Saint-Paul are marked for use by snowshoe hikers. We have selected three, located in the immediate vicinity of Baie-Saint-Paul, which will allow you to go for either an hour an afternoon hike.
A short and easy trail with a length of 2.5 km, this trail will be perfect for families. From the Baie-Saint-Paul wharf to the west, you will have to follow the path that runs alongside the St. Lawrence.
The trail follows a pine forest, which, when completely passed, will lead you to an observation tower (open in the summer only). In order to complete the trail, you can head towards the city buildings that can be seen in the distance.
A slightly longer route (7.4 km), this trail connects the village of Baie-Saint-Paul to the Le Genévrier campsite by following Rivière du Gouffre.
Although hiking is recommended for beginners, this trail has some gradients, and some effort is to be made if you embark on the trail wearing snowshoes. There are several interesting vantage points to visit along the marked route.
With a length of 18.2 km, the Sentier les Florent hiking trail connects the Le Genévrier campsite to Saint-Urbain. Classified as mid-level, this trail is marked for snowshoeing. It requires greater physical effort than the other two trails and features nine vantage points and a panoramic lookout.
These will allow you to see Saint-Urbain, Baie-Saint-Paul, Vallée du Gouffre, the Gouffre River, the St. Lawrence, the mountains of the Grand-Jardins National Park, and a former mining site. Toilets are set up in a few places.
Photo credit: Victoriabee
Agrotours Charlevoix is a company whose objective is to develop the knowledge of the Charlevoix region through the prism of local agricultural products. The company allows you to enjoy the regional gastronomy of Charlevoix, even in winter.
This gastronomic experience comes in two versions: le petit tour gourmand ("the small gourmet tour”) and le grand tour gourmand (“the grand gourmet tour”), both of which depart from Baie-Saint-Paul.
The petit tour gourmand consists of discovering several products in half a day (3 hours) with two stops at local producers, while the grand tour gourmand consists of discovering a circuit of local merchants composed of five stops in one day (5 hours and 30 minutes).
Both tours are available by bus, and it is advisable to inquire about availability in advance.
Photo credit: Patrice St-Gelais
The Route des Montagnes (“the mountain route”) tourist circuit connects the two national parks of Charlevoix by routes 381 and 138. With a length of 121 km, this route allows you to visit the hinterland of Charlevoix.
In winter, the Route des Montagnes is a pleasure for the eyes. Comfortably seated in the comfort of your vehicle in the direction of either one of the two national parks on your itinerary, take the time to contemplate the beauty of the mountainous landscape covered with snow and ice.
From Baie-Saint-Paul, you can choose to explore the western part towards the Grands-Jardins National Park. To do this, you will have to take Route 138 and then reach Route 381 at Saint-Urbain.
Instead, hikers who have listed the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park on their itinerary will have to exit in Saint-Urbain and follow the Route des Montagnes signage. It is important to note that it is also possible to get there by Route 138 by joining the Route des Montagnes just before Clermont, near Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs.
If you have decided to stop near the Grand-Jardins National Park, the Mont du Lac des Cygnes (“Swan Lake Mountain”), the highest peak in the national park, is an ideal natural vantage point for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding area.
On a clear day, you will be privileged to get a view that will allow you to appreciate the grandeur of the Charlevoix region. Take your time; the view is stunningly beautiful!
Photo credit: Héli-Charlevoix
Héli-Charlevoix is a company located in Baie-Saint-Paul that offers helicopter tours to visitors.
It is a unique experience that enables you to discover Baie-Saint-Paul and the entire Charlevoix region at a glance. In a bird’s eye view, you can appreciate the Charlevoix astrobleme, an ancient crater left by a meteorite impact that has left an important mark on the terrain of the region. It’s a sight that’s not to be missed!
The company, equipped with a helicopter, offers many all-inclusive tours, packages and excursions. You can opt for a flyover of the Saguenay Fjord or a flight for a moose observation tour. If you dream big, custom trips are also possible to mark a corporate or family event.
In winter, several packages are available such as being dropped off at the top of the Mont des Morios and being able to walk there by snowshoe, or even a combined experience, which allows you to travel by helicopter to the Massif station, to be dropped off there, and then to continue your adventure by dog sled.
Photo credit: Andrea Green
In winter, in Baie-Saint-Paul, what could be more soothing and natural after a day on the snowy slopes of the Massif than to go for comfort at the spa?
Two establishments offer spa services in Baie-Saint-Paul: the Spa Nordique Le Germain and the Spa Urbain Le Marion.
The Le Germain Nordic spa is located within the Le German Hotel & Spa. Its wide service offering is focused on physical well-being (massage therapy, body care, facials, steam baths, Finnish saunas, etc.) in the six treatment rooms of the establishment.
The Le Marion Urban Spa is located at Hôtel Auberge de la Grande Maison. The inn offers its clientele many thermal therapy services (thermal pools, cold waterfall, and sauna). Their service offering is complemented by body care services (massage, facials, manicures, etc.).
Photo credit: Tourisme Charlevoix
Enough to enthrall snowmobile enthusiasts, the Charlevoix region offers several hundred kilometres of trails that are specially dedicated to snowmobiling.
In Baie-Saint-Paul, Aventures Laurentiennes is a company that offers snowmobile rentals.
Specializing in snowmobiling, the services offered by Aventures Laurentiennes range from snowmobile rentals to the organizing of trail discovery activities in the area, whether it be for a 2-hour ride or a tailor-made, guided expedition spread over 5 days.
Aventures Laurentiennes offers several snowmobile tours focused on discovering the region, the practice of sports, or the epicurean theme.
Check out our other articles on the best things to do in the Charlevoix region!
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