In addition to hosting the very first Club Med in Canada, as well as the prestigious resort of the Massif de Charlevoix, the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is recognized as the gateway to the Charlevoix region. With its great mountain with many assets, this welcoming, charismatic and authentic village is the pride of joy of its residents. Once there, you will also discover incomparable riches for outdoor and nature lovers, as well as for art and culture aficionados.
Photo : Tourisme Charlevoix, Joannie Fillion
The art of living near the water
The art of living is inspired by the good things in life, feeling grateful and savouring the moment. The village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François has been designed for exactly this! Beyond its little corners of paradise in the forest, there are magnificent spaces along the river that eternalize the beauty of the place. The wharf, its promenade and marina lead to the body of water from the heart of the village. There’s a sandy and pebble beach just a stone’s throw from the Parc des Riverains, offering an amazing playground for kids with water games and a volleyball court. Don’t skip the famous village snack bar known for its awesome fries and its magnificent view of the river. It’s easy to find because the building, appropriately, looks like a lighthouse.
The art of living on two wheels
Because Charlevoix is a popular destination for cyclists, Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is improving its network by adding a segment to its bike path that connects the village core to the Massif de Charlevoix, Club Med Québec Charlevoix and Coop de l’Affluent. This section will be ready in the summer of 2023. The objective is to expand the area with a simple and safe route to link as many tourist attractions as possible and make them all accessible from the town by bike. The views of the river, the coast and the mountain are simply breathtaking. So, while keeping your eyes on the road, take time to admire and savour the beauty all around you.
The art of living in the forest on your two feet
In addition to the alpine mountain walking trails, the cascading forest of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is home to a vast network of renowned hiking trails, including the Sentier des Caps de Charlevoix and the Gabrielle-Roy trail.
Favourite: the Gabrielle-Roy trail is divided into two sectors, East and West. The east trail (11.4 km round trip) offers a walk in the forest that climbs to the summit of Mont Gabrielle-Roy. The trail leads to a promontory from where you can appreciate the St. Lawrence River, the mountains of Charlevoix and the surrounding landscape. The west trail is 20 km round trip that begins near the Liguori refuge, then winds through a mixed forest composed mainly of maple, pine and beech trees. Viewpoints overlook the Massif de Charlevoix and the river, plus there are nature interpretation panels lining the trail.
If you want to immerse yourself in knowledge, Forêt Gourmande offers hikes in the inhabited forest of the Massif where you’ll find dozens of wild plants and mushrooms. From June to October and from February to April, you can learn to identify wild and edible plants, pick them ethically, prepare them properly and, above all, taste them.
The art… period!
Petite-Rivière-Saint-François is not just about nature and the outdoors. Taking the time to discover this village and its history involves exploring the new artistic journey (2021) called Portrait intime de la Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. Discover twelve commented shots of the warm and welcoming human face of the village community. It’s a fascinating story! In addition, pretty chapels adorn the streets.
In the village, the crossroads of creativity set up at the Domaine à Liguori is managed by the Coopérative de Solidarité l’Affluent. Shows, exhibitions, creative workshops and yoga classes happen there, in addition to a brand new public market every Wednesday. It’s a gathering place in a green setting. On the estate, there’s a café-boutique, a youth hostel, a campsite and a sugar shack.
Always with the goal of increasing arts in the municipality, the Expo du Plateau des Arts will be held for a second year from August 19th to 21st at the Chalet Gabrielle Roy, which sometimes hosts artists in residence.
