Le Massif de Charlevoix: its three development poles
Le Massif de Charlevoix unfurls over 120 km2 in the Charlevoix region, from Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to Baie-Saint-Paul, just 77 kilometres east of Québec City. This tourism and recreation project emerged from a desire to do things differently, to live and share a refreshed, sustainable form of tourism in an authentic setting – one that’s well rooted in its community. It defines itself as a place for learning, for pleasure and discovery, a territory for original and genuine experiences that favours encounters, exchanges and stimulates the senses.
At the heart of larger-than-life scenery between river and mountains, individuals from different communities, generations and backgrounds will be invited to participate in a vast array of four-season activities. Culture and science alongside sports, adventure and wellness will flourish on all of its three poles, each destined to become an experimental ground for tourists over the coming years: The Mountain, The Farm and The Train.
The Mountain
Located in the municipality of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François and skirted by the St. Lawrence River, The Mountain is the high altar of pleasure and freedom. Its scenic environment is made up of a vast skiable terrain offering 770 metres of vertical to be enjoyed over four seasons, thanks to the integration of additional service infrastructures and a gondola.
Beyond a 30% expansion of its skiable terrain, new lift installations, a family sled run covering about 10 km and a train station that is also the departure point for sea-going and land activities across the territory, The Mountain will feature boutiques, restaurants, a spa centre and countless lodging offers ranging from inns and loft-apartments, to chalets and signature homes all leading to untold adventures in the great outdoors.
The Farm
In Baie-Saint-Paul, The Farm environment will reveal itself as a genuine crossroads for sampling local culture and gastronomy, and for attending a whirlwind of events, shows and conventions of every scope. Here for visitors are a railway station, close to 150 rooms partitioned among five pavilions reminiscent of the site’s agricultural heritage, a multifunctional venue accommodating up to 500 guests, a lively public square as well as a terroir market outlet spotlighting the bounty of the Charlevoix’s regional growers and producers.
The Train
Because intermodal travel is championed across the Massif de Charlevoix territory, a touring train linking Québec City to La Malbaie will offer travellers a superior rail cruise experience, with stopovers at The Mountain and The Farm. On board, travellers will be enveloped in an unusual sensory experience over 140 km of St. Lawrence River shoreline, as their eyes, ears and tastebuds are continually solicited all along the panoramic and gastronomic rail cruise.
In addition to the touring train, two rail shuttles will ride the rails to reinforce the links between local communities. Travelling daily between the base of The Mountain in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François and The Farm in Baie-Saint-Paul, they will offer a pleasant transportation alternative to locals and visitors alike.
The mission
To promote sharing and new encounters, in a unique environment, through meaningful experiences in tourism and recreation that are propitious to individual and collective growth.
The vision
To present authentic and original experiences as a project concept and in its planning, and deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable development.
• A place for renewal, experimentation, learning, pleasure, discovery and freedom;
• A unique rendezvous with nature, creativity, innovation and imagination;
• Original programming focused on culture, science, sports, wellness and adventure that stimulates the senses;
• An open-minded, inclusive project vested in the human scale.
The values
• Open-mindedness
• Service
• Respect
• Self-surpassment
• Pleasure
What makes it different…
• Le Massif de Charlevoix is being developed on a human scale, with great care given to sustainable development on each the environmental, the economic and the human landscapes.
• Development is inclusive of the regional tourist offer. It aims to stimulate partnerships, the economy and generate spin-offs for the region as a whole.
• Over 400 low-density lodging units will see the light on the territory, of which a 150-room hotel favouring green development (geothermal power, wood structures), an inn, loft-apartments, chalets and signature homes all in synergy with the landscape.
• In its ongoing pledge to protect the environment, assorted alternative means of transportation will be introduced across the territory and at the heart of the different activities: Rail cruises, dog-sled and luge runs...
• Le Massif de Charlevoix promises to be a showcase for environmental and technological experimentation, and a choice destination for exploring and understanding the elements.
• Upon completion, Le Massif de Charlevoix will provide over 600 employment opportunities at the heart of its various environments, the majority being permanent positions.
• The businessman behind this tourism and recreation project is none other than Daniel Gauthier, co-founder of the Cirque du Soleil.
