Want to visit a place where the picturesque charm is omnipresent between the period homes and the post-card sceneries and just enjoy the beauty of the world while spending most of your time outside walking and hiking?… Well this is for you.

We had the chance to visit the beautiful region of Charlevoix, aboard the luxurious Lexus RX L not too long ago and honestly, I really fell in love with the region, our ride and the priceless family time. The road to get there was superb, the scenery is breathtaking, the shops of local products are not to be missed and the charm of this region is waiting for you.

With our 3 sons, lots of suitcases and luggage to bring, we enjoyed the space in the Lexus RX L and the 3rd row seating. The boys were really comfortable and the space is roomy. This car offers a truly remarkable experience that we could appreciate with the winding roads and the odds that appear one after the other in this beautiful region of Charlevoix.

We went for several walks and hikes during this weekend, beautiful activities, unforgettable visits and unique discoveries. I really wanted to share all of this with you, because it was too beautiful and with children it’s always nice to be able to plan ahead.

Here is what we did during the weekend – I highly recommend reading along, if you like adventure and beautiful discoveries.

Hiking

The region offers several hiking trails both for family and more advanced. We really like to walk with the boys for many reasons but first of all, it makes us take some fresh air, it makes us move outside, it gives us good family time or and allows us to appreciate nature … and I need to admit that everyone sleeps so much better in the evening.

You will find several hiking options on the Charlevoix tourism site to plan in advance the type and length of hike you want to do.

Helicopter ride

The helicopter ride at Heli-Charlevoix was really a great adventure. We really enjoyed this activity. The view that the area  had to offer with all the fall colors was just gorgeous and I must admit that the boys were speechless all along. The pilot told us that each season had its charm and that in winter, it is possible to see moose and follow them from the air. It gave us the taste to go back!

Gourmet journey

Another activity that I recommend is really to plan a gourmet walk to discover all the beautiful and great products that the region has to offer. We had the chance to taste cheeses, dry sausages, smoked salmon and pâtés from local artisans. We even had 2 picnics during the weekend to take the time to enjoy everything, while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the region. The concierge service at the hotel Le Germain helped us suggest a route that was perfect for our tastes.

Visiting the alpaca farm

Another necessary stop. Really. We adored. The Charlevoix alpaca farm is a great activity for all ages. Despite the very different ages of my 3 sons, I was a little apprehensive to see if they would all appreciate it but to my surprise, they all love it. The farm is educational and we found several explanatory posters which allowed us to learn a lot about this beautiful animal. The boys fed them and could also pet them too. There is a nice boutique where you can shop for alpaca fur items made from artisans.

A car ride to les Éboulements

We jumped in the Lexus RX L again to enjoy another charming region of Charlevoix, between Baie St-Paul and La Malbaie. If there is one place you really need to include in your course, is a visit to the beautiful iconic village of Charlevoix, while Saint-Irénée overlooks the heights and les éboulements eases its way along the Saint-Lawrence River. Then you have to drive along the river and stop at the ferry that travels up to Ile aux coudres. The view is splendid at this place, especially at low tide. This is a nice place to grab a snack and kids will enjoy a fun walk… or run.

This region is amazing to experience and we really fell in love with this beautiful part of Quebec. We will return for sure, for it’s beautiful breathtaking views, good gourmet stops, hiking trails, hospitality and good food.

In addition, our 3-day getaway was very pleasant in the comfort of the Lexus RX L, which allowed us to bring all the equipment we needed with the 3 boys and our many planned activities. We had all the space expected, the comfort was more than present and the driving was beyond my expectations. The fact that this luxury SUV has 6 seats and this, in 3 rows, really help to spend long hours on the road without any kids fights or arguing… read mom and dad were very happy!

I will share with you in my next blog post about our stay at the hotel Le Germain and gourmet stops to be sure to make this trip a memorable one.

I hope it gives you the taste to visit as much as we enjoyed our experience,

Stephanie xx