Baie-Saint-Paul on a human scale | Press

It is not because the leaves are now on the ground that the beautiful autumn days are behind us. Weekend getaways are still the order of the day, especially in the Charlevoix region, which slows down after being invaded by hordes of tourists during the summer months. Discoveries on a human scale in Baie-Saint-Paul and the surrounding area.

Pierre-Marc Durivage
Press

Zombies, farmhouse and labyrinth

You have to make the detour via Chemin Saint-Laurent, a superb road which sometimes overlooks the valley of the Gouffre river, where Marie-Noëlle Beaulieu’s farm is located, well known in the region for its labyrinths laid out every day. been in his cornfield for six years. It is at the end of October, when the corn plants start to crack in the wind, that the educator turned farmer staged the highlight of her show: she first invited the children on October 23 to a very special candy picking, before giving way to the zombie maze the following Saturday for a terrifying, but nonetheless friendly Halloween party.

“My dream has always been to build a labyrinth,” explains Marie-Noëlle Beaulieu, guiding us towards her field in which she has created 3.5 km of narrow corridors. “I’ve been doing it for six years, we change the theme and the puzzles every year. Now people start writing to me in July to find out if my maze is ready! »We get caught up in the game, in search of the famous blue corn or in the quest for the letters forming the hidden word – we tremble at the idea of ​​doing the job with a zombie blowing our necks!

In addition to its popular labyrinth, M^me Beaulieu also offers tours of his farm, which specializes in small exotic farm animals, in addition to doing some breeding or selling eggs. First up this year, it will be possible to extend the visit period for animals that tolerate the cold with an illuminated Christmas trail.

Visit the website of Ferme Marie-Noëlle Beaulieu

Dog leisure

The Queen and the Millionaire is located in the same sector, a dog recreation center open all year round. The place has built its fame by organizing dog sledding outings, but it is good to know that it is possible to go there simply to visit the kennel, to the delight of its tenants, an affectionate pack of some thirty husky and alaskan dogs who ask nothing better than to receive visitors. “People want to connect with these dogs,” explains co-owner Charlotte Pozzi, while we are under the onslaught of affection from the doggies. These dogs have an attractive power, and it is this power that we want to use to be able to take people into nature, to enjoy the outdoors. Moreover, we are looking to open trails for hiking with a dog. ”

The activity would thus be added to the canine sport offer already offered by the company established for 10 years, first in the Sacré-Cœur sector and then in Baie-Saint-Paul. In addition to dog sledding in winter, you can also practice cani-scooter, an original activity that consists of riding on a wheeled scooter specially designed to be pulled by a dog. After a short training – you have to know how to brake while keeping the hitch rope tight -, you go to the Caps trail for a one-hour hike. “Many people who work in the field of dog sport are starting to want to prioritize the wheel, because the dog works less hard,” says our guide Alexandre Lavagne, also co-owner. The dog develops power for speed and fun while on the sled it’s going to be work. This is why he is considering trying out oversized wheeled cani-scooters this winter, although sleigh rides will of course still be offered. “Dog sledding is more than just a hobby,” says Charlotte Pozzi. We see magnificent things, we live a moment out of time, we feel the muffled snow, the little squeaks of the sled, in short, it causes something to people. ”

Visit the website of The Queen and the Millionaire

Eat well, drink well

With tables like Le Mouton Noir, Les Labours, Les Faux Bergers, Le Diapason or La Louve refreshment bar, the catering offer in Baie-Saint-Paul is incomparable. To which we can also add the Charlevoix microbrewery, as well as the range of spirits from the Migneron Family – Charlevoyou gin, distilled from whey recovered from the cheese factory, has just been launched.

In addition to these well-known addresses, there are a few novelties. The friendly restaurant at Domaine Belle Plage, with a magnificent terrace by the river, is the spearhead of the renewal of this hotel, which welcomes visitors all year round, a few steps from Baie-Saint-Paul beach. Located in the converted former Maison Mère Baie-Saint-Paul convent, the Mousse Café is a solidarity cooperative that meets many community needs. “We respond so much to a social need; people had nowhere to go to hang out or study together, ”explains Marilyn Tremblay, Executive Director. There is a fun space under the same roof with a wide choice of board games, a shop for baby accessories and creative materials, as well as the café-luncherie, which offers sandwiches, salads, homemade cupcakes and pastries.

Opened just a few months before the start of the pandemic, The Country Club microbrewery was also born to meet a local need. “The bars I used to go to when I was younger are all closed, we couldn’t go have a beer after our hockey game,” says André Larouche, brewer and co-owner, proud to offer the very first place on display. as a sports pub in Charlevoix. For now, you have to ignore the rather ordinary exterior decor of the pub located at the entrance of the city, because what you find behind the door is certainly worth the detour. The result is convincing, and its American-inspired brews stand out from the products offered by its neighbors at the Charlevoix microbrewery.

Consult the website of the Domaine Belle Plage Consult the website of the Mousse Café Consult the website of the Country Club microbrewery

Hike on the banks of La Rémy

In addition to the Caps trail and the ascent of Mont du Lac des Cygnes in the Grands-Jardins park, the Baie-Saint-Paul region is full of trails suitable for all types of hikers. Little known, the Florent network, which stretches around the Rémy river to Saint-Urbain, is easy to access while offering striking views and unspoiled nature. The La Rémy trail is undoubtedly the most accessible section, it takes 1.3 km to get to the platform built 40 m above a tumultuous waterfall that has carved its way into the rock. Halfway there are picnic tables and a bench, the place is perfect for a snack. For a look beyond the valley of the Rivière du Gouffre, a viewpoint is less than 1 km south of the intersection of the La Rémy and Les Florent trails.

Learn more about the trails and hikes in the MRC de Charlevoix