Canada’s scenic region of Charlevoix luxury resorts, Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu, provides natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and pampering for all family travelers including pets.
Charlevoix is that rarity, a region of Canada’s Quebec province that offers the Laurentian mountains, a dramatic shoreline on the St. Lawrence Seaway, and a warm welcome — combined — at an isolated, family-friendly, luxurious country hotel.
Living in America’s gritty urban Northeast, we sometimes forget we are surrounded by majestic mountains, the Atlantic shoreline, and charming New England towns, albeit crowded ones. Such population density makes it rare to find a comfortable family getaway where the region’s natural beauty is prized above its man-made attractions.
Charlevoix: A UNESCO World Biosphere & Stunning Scenery
Photo: booking.com
What lured us to the picturesque region of Charlevoix was its designation as a UNESCO World Biosphere, an honor earned by its pristine environment and sustainable development. Scientists believe this unique habitat is the result of a giant meteorite that struck the St. Lawrence River valley more than 150 million years ago.
Another sign of impact is the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park just offshore, a summer destination for families who join day cruises or Zodiac tours to watch the seals and Beluga, minke, finback, and other whales that migrate from May to October. The Marine Environment Discovery Centre has underwater programs that you can join as a scuba diver, or watch on big-screen TVs to get a close-up view of native sea life.
The region’s stark, rugged landscape, appreciated year-round in its many parks, is also a large part of its family appeal.
Parc des Grand-Jardins, noted for its striking Arctic terrain, a herd of woodland caribou, and the spruce lichen that typically only grow at northern latitudes, is open for cross-country skiing in winter, and hiking, camping, and picnicking year-round. Parc des Hautes-Gorges, whose steep granite cliffs soar above the Riviere Malbaie to rival the Grand Canyon, welcomes visitors only in summer when several local outfitters offer whitewater rafting and sea kayaking.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu: Luxury for the Whole Family
Photo: booking.com
Soon we reached our destination in central Charlevoix, La Malbaie, the site of the luxurious Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu. This beautiful stone French chateau, which sprung from the ashes of a wooden turn-of-the-century hunting lodge in 1929, sits on 212 acres above the river. The coveted 27-hole championship golf course opened in 1925 for the visit of U.S. President William Taft and the design by British architect Herbert Strong has been maintained. Today, the resort boasts the Moment health spa, the fancy Casino de Charlevoix, and all the trappings of a noble family life.
The hotel’s grand public spaces, huge fireplaces, and its river-view tea lounge continually impressed the boys. Our large room was beautifully furnished in expensive fabrics, with two double beds and a sitting area overlooking the St. Lawrence view. The extra large marble bathroom had two sinks and two thick terry bathrobes.
We explored everywhere and dined at the more casual restaurant, which had a children’s menu and a buffet that was half-priced for kids. We never attempted the resort’s self-described ‘gourmet’ restaurant with them, but it has an excellent reputation.
Year-Round Activities & Adventures in Charlevoix
What the Richelieu promised and delivered was lots of outdoor activities for a vacation any time of year. We spent days looking over the snow-covered lawns to the semi-frozen St. Lawrence and a vista of icebergs. In February, the steaming outdoor pool (one of two), illuminated under falling snow, prompted several kids to climb out and roll in the surrounding snowbanks then dunk themselves in the water heated to 98F degrees. This gorgeous pool is an obvious crowd-pleaser in the cool summer months, too.
The Richelieu’s impeccably maintained locker rooms stocked with pampering products (for me, the sign of a truly classy place) meant we could shower, shampoo hair, and blow dry without having to walk through the lobby dripping wet.
Family-Friendly Fun
We never tried Richelieu’s small hockey rink (the resort lends sticks and nets and rents out skates) or the figure skating oval that encircled a well-tended fire in the evenings. Family amenities year-round also include French and English language videos screened in a small conference room each night, though our in-room entertainment system was a bigger lure for the boys.
One day, we snowmobiled for an hour with a guide who led us over the scenic historic golf course. Bundled up in the resort’s snowsuits, helmets, and boots, we were impervious to the cold in the surrounding forest. The backseat boys were put off by the engine noise and somewhat bored, that is, until they had a chance to ‘drive’ a bit on their own. All the activities were reasonably priced with hourly, half-day, and full-day rates.
Cross-Country Skiing Escapades
Another day took us to Mont Grands-Fonds, where we rented cross-country skis for the very first time. Displaying the Quebecois warmth we saw repeatedly, Simon and the rental shop staff outfitted the boys quickly and gave us some pointers. On this sunny, 20F-degree day, we shuffled through the woods with our trail maps, following a neat path groomed with two sets of carved grooves.
We fell dozens of times, but the elderly Maurice Chevalier types who stopped to see if the boys were okay — even offering to re-wax their skis as they lay prone — made it a delightful excursion.
Some might call it unproductive, but if kids finish a new activity willing to try again, I think it’s been a good outing. Mont-Grands-Fonds was very reasonable, too for an entire day of cross-country gear and lift tickets.
The Richelieu’s Multi-Sports staff, who are kept much busier in summer, urged us to borrow snowshoes (our old-fashioned models made it easy to see why they are called maquettes in French). Although we could hardly keep them on our feet, we had a lot of fun slopping around the golf course and met the golf course manager, who patrolled on an ATV.
He rode over to greet the boys in that friendly Quebecois way we’d come to expect, and it was the highlight of their day
Amenities and Relaxation at Le Manoir Richelieu
Photo: booking.com
For Kid’s Only
There is a variety of family activities that include badminton, tennis, bicycling, and guided carriage rides. We saw parents with toddlers in the playroom and dads in the arcade challenging teens to a game of billiards. Adults can book childcare from a selective list of local babysitters, to enjoy a massage, more adventurous snowmobile adventure, or have a gourmet dinner and a shot at the Casino.
Fun for Man & Beast
We haven’t mentioned our dog Snowy, whom we brought into Canada with the requisite vet-certified Letter of Rabies Vaccine. At the Fairmont le Manoir Richelieu, we hiked together along segments of the 150-km Sentier, the shore trail high above St. Lawrence. As on other dog travels, we scheduled our no-pet activities for mid-morning and mid-afternoon, when he would happily nap in our lovely room.
Snowy’s favorite part of the resort was the outdoor pen belonging to the Fairmont’s popular dogsled team. Because these huskies were in constant demand to pull guests along the wooded trails, they were never at home when we visited.
But then, with so much winter fun to enjoy, we weren’t at home much either. And maybe we’ll just have to return in summer!
How to Get to Charlevoix and Le Manoir Richelieu, Quebec
Car
- From Montreal: Take Highway 40 East towards Quebec City. Exit onto Route 138 East and continue towards La Malbaie (approximately a 3-hour drive total).
- From Quebec City: Take Route 138 East towards La Malbaie (approximately a 1.5-hour drive).
- Scenic Route: For a more picturesque drive, consider taking the coastal Route 362 along the St. Lawrence River.
Train
- The Train de Charlevoix offers a scenic journey from Quebec City to La Malbaie. The train station is conveniently located near Le Manoir Richelieu. (Include a link to the Train de Charlevoix website for schedules and bookings if possible)
Air
- Charlevoix Airport (CYML): This small regional airport offers private and charter flights, located approximately 15 minutes from Le Manoir Richelieu.
- Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB): This larger airport is about a 2-hour drive from Charlevoix and Le Manoir Richelieu. Car rentals and taxis are available at the airport.
Additional Notes:
- Road Conditions: Check road conditions before departing, particularly in winter months.
- Parking: Le Manoir Richelieu offers on-site parking for guests.
Planning Your Dream Charlevoix Family Trip
For special winter or summer offers, visit Fairmont.com where you can access information on family packages. If you’re flying into Quebec City, you will find year-round car rental deals at Enterprise when you book directly with them.
For general tourist information about the Charlevoix region, contact the Association Touristique Regionale de Charlevoix or Tourisme Quebec. English is widely spoken.
Verifying Up-to-Date Details
Before making any travel plans, it’s crucial to confirm the latest information regarding the resort or hotel. While the details provided offer a good starting point, certain specifics might have changed due to time or seasonal variations. Here’s what you can do:
Visit the Official Website: The Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu’s official website is the most reliable source for current information on amenities, activities, pricing, packages, and pet policies. Look for a dedicated section on family vacations or special offers.
Contact the Resort Directly: Reach out to the resort via phone or email to inquire about any specific details or concerns you may have. Their staff can provide the most accurate and up-to-date information tailored to your needs.
Check Online Reviews and Travel Forums: Browse recent reviews and discussions on platforms like TripAdvisor or travel forums to get insights from other travelers about their experiences at the resort. This can help you gauge the current state of amenities and services.
Consult with Travel Agents: If you’re working with a travel agent, they can assist you in gathering the latest details and booking your stay with accurate information.
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