An artistic journey through Baie-Saint-Paul

Located at 4 rue Ambroise-Fafard, the Carrefour culturel Paul-Médéric is the first stop to park your car and begin the tour. This multidisciplinary cultural center showcases the visual arts, heritage, performing arts, and local talent through various exhibitions and activities that change with the seasons. The building is named in honour of Father Jean-Paul Tremblay – better known by his pen name, Paul Médéric – a priest and writer from the city. This cultural hub is the ideal place to experience the vibrancy of the local cultural scene. Admission is free, and it offers a wonderful glimpse into Charlevoix’s artistic creativity and heritage.

The tour continues just a few steps from the Carrefour culturel Paul-Médéric at 23 rue Ambroise-Fafard. The Musée d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul (Baie-Saint-Paul Museum of Contemporary Art) has everything to satisfy your curiosity about art! The institution is renowned for the national and international exhibitions it presents throughout the year. Since 1982, the museum also presents the Symposium international d’art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul (Baie-Saint-Paul International Contemporary Art Symposium), a unique event featuring artists from all over the world who come and actually work in view of the public.

Next, a stop at Place de l’Eglise is a must. From one season to another, this place hosts a variety of activities and cultural events. Whether you’re enjoying the famous Le Festif! de Baie-Saint-Paul or Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, Place de l’Église is the ideal spot for taking a break and admiring the heart of lively downtown Baie-Saint-Paul. Take advantage of your stop to check out the equatorial sundial installed in the square. This functional work of art tells the time through the movement of the sun’s shadow and is part of Baie-Saint-Paul’s public art trail.

Head towards the Pont de la rivière du Gouffre for your next destination. The Gouffre River, which was once used to transport goods and people via rowboat, is symbolic because it crosses the entire city from the mountains down to the St. Lawrence River. ith the changing seasons as its theme, a large mural unveiled in 2003 depicts various aspects of Charlevoix’s heritage, from farm life to mountainous landscapes. In addition, river-running activities such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are now offered by Katabatik – Aventure dans Charlevoix.

Photography fan? The Pont des chars is the place to admire Baie-Saint-Paul from an entirely new perspective. From its location at 179 rue Saint-Joseph, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the city. This superb view features the Gouffre River, the church and the heart of the city, which is nestled in the cradle of the magnificent Charlevoix mountains.

Back in downtown, the charming Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste is known for its high concentration of art galleries. As you walk down this street, you’ll find yourself immersed in a joyful, lively, and dynamic atmosphere. Among the places worth visiting are the Galerie d'art Iris, the Galerie Porte rouge, and the Galerie l'Harmattan. The street also features several cafés and restaurants where you can take a break and enjoy extending your exploration of downtown.

Continue your journey at 9 rue Forget. The Bibliothèque René-Richard (municipal library) is open to everyone and houses a breathtaking collection of books, artworks and temporary exhibitions. It’s a place to meet and exchange, and worth the detour because it also hosts the Charlevoix regional archives centre, where the area’s cultural pride is preserved.

The last stop on the tour is in front of the town hall at 15 rue Forget. Place du Citoyen proudly bears witness to the beginnings of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil. This is exactly where the ground-breaking company began its activities with the very first shows before eventually exploding on to the global stage. Équilibre précaire, a beautiful sculpture, has stood here since 2009. It was erected to mark Cirque du Soleil’s 25th anniversary. A second work, *Rencontres* by Michel Saulnier, highlights the history of the International Symposium on Contemporary Art. These sculptures bring the tour to a close by bringing together two important chapters in Baie-Saint-Paul’s cultural identity.