” I worked 32 years for the CN. Now semi-retired, when I noticed that the Train de Charlevoix was recruiting, it piqued my interest. Having traveled this area in my CN days, I knew how gorgeous it is!

Three days a week between June and October, I operate the train between the Chute-Montmorency and Baie-Saint-Paul or between Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie. Between us, I would make this journey for free and it would not even bother me! It is so beautiful it is hardly work! Furthermore, passengers are vacationing: on board the ambience is always pleasant.

My favorite section of the itinerary is from Cap Tourmente to La Malbaie. I know it is three quarters of the circuit, but I swear, that whole section is breathtaking. From the Chute-Montmorency to Cap Tourmente, we go through urban settings; and then we follow the river to Baie-Saint-Paul. There are also 200 to 300 feet cliffs on the left and the sea on the right. The network goes through two tunnels. Sometimes, I take the time to tak to passengers about historic facts related to the itinerary. And if luck is on our side, we may even see pods of beluga whales from the train!  

I am from Québec City and still live there but I have vacationed in Charlevoix for ever or I take one-day trips: it is not far. We often talk about Baie-Saint-Paul or La Malbaie but Charlevoix offers much more! Port-au-Persil is my favorite. You go down a vertiginous hill and arrive at the village’s small quay: it is the nicest place of the area! “