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Guide to Pointe-au-Pic
Lace up your shoes, we’re taking you on a tour of a neighbourhood that’s made for walking, where the scent of the great outdoors and the wonderful smells escaping from kitchens blend together joyfully on the breeze. That’s right, today we’re talking about the much-loved Pointe-au-Pic, a neighbourhood where you can be both in town and by the seaside all at once.
Life in the
neighbourhood
Unique, gourmet and picturesque itineraries.
From rue Richelieu all the way to the pier, the numerous gourmet establishments in the Pointe-au-Pic neighbourhood officially open up their patios to celebrate the arrival of summer, creating a bustling street party and culinary tour.
Here, you can play a relaxing game of pétanque, pastis in hand, in an urban park by the river.
Generations intermingle in our beloved neighbourhood, with tourists and locals alike waving to each other on the bike path and chatting while in line for a morning coffee!
Follow the guide! On the itinerary: food, natural wines, concerts, mini-golf, folk art, a Nordic spa and “made in Quebec” shopping!
On the boulevard,
towards Richelieu...
1.
Its bright colours and the smell of an in-house roast will make you want to grab a steaming cup for the road at Brûlerie Charlevoix, on chemin du Golf!
2.
With its rooms all facing the bay and its spectacular tides, the Motel Le Point de vue will make you want to linger awhile on the balcony!
3.
The outdoor fireplace and bustling patio attract hungry pedestrians to Bistro Local 245, located in a magnificent, spacious dwelling and serving up colourful tartare!
4.
The rooms and suites at Clarion Pointe are the perfect base camp for your family vacation…retro bikes included!
Galerie d’art
au p’tit bonheur
From the street, follow the colourful alleys filled with tulips and flowers. Travelling with your family? Dressed in sandals? Regardless, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome at this gallery, where art lovers will delight in wandering the rooms, exploring their array of pieces and discovering the variety of figurative works by some of the most famous artists in Canada.
Auberge La Marmite
Here, guests are welcomed like old friends, with glasses of Pét-Nat, natural wines or other aperitifs. Diners choose this establishment for the opportunity to taste seasonal cuisine, where local products take centre stage, enticing your tastebuds irresistibly. You’ll surely want to keep coming back for yet another chance to enjoy the unobstructed views of the Saint Lawrence from their dining room.
Richelieu
The heart of the old town still pulsates with life, between the laughs of passersby, whispers from patio diners and the din of the Centre d’Études Collégiales.
5.
Coral pink, with its vintage neon sign and group BBQ area, Castel de la mer will remind you of the ocean and the eastern U.S. seaboard!
6.
Facing the street, Café chez nous serves up sunny breakfasts and lunches in its eclectic decor. Mingle with the local wildlife that visit regularly!
7.
Owned by a renowned chef, with a patio, five-course meal, generous brunch, good wines and room packages—Chez Truchon is the perfect spot to treat yourself!
8.
Go window shopping at Boutique Charlevoix to check out the variety of local artwork on offer. Pick up some jewelry, a sculpture or some placemats while you’re at it!
9.
Stop by the Espace Jules Verne, enjoy an English tea, patio drinks or a smooth evening digestif: L’Île Mystérieuse is the je ne sais quoi that rounds out the neighbourhood.
10.
Lunch, dinner, take out…Allegro’s Italian fusion menu is bound to be a treat for your tastebuds! Relax in the elegant violet-hued ambiance late into the evening at L’Étage.
miam
Right this way!
The neighbourhood foodie tour isn’t over yet...
11.
Vegetarians, vegans and microbrewery amateurs will be in their element at Les Pinsons des Rives. A spot for board games, good company and furry friends!
12.
Looking for a good time? Welcome to La Bohème! Here, you can tuck into wagyu beef or barbecue, make a lively toast, sing your heart out with the musician or enjoy an animated fireside chat!
13.
The apartment and rooms at Petit Hôtel Amara have an “international hostel” feel with common areas, a relaxed vibe and a Thai host who concocts culinary delights!
Towards the
Havre
It’s hard to believe that hardly 3 years ago, this land was vacant. It’s now a popular spot for concerts, outdoor dance classes, film screenings, water fountains where you can play and freshen up (if you dare!), its stunning park where even grownups try a few cartwheels…why not pick up some takeout from one of the local restaurants and enjoy the view?
Le 500 richelieu
You’ll surely be intrigued by this long, narrow building overlooking the Havre with the words “Le 500 Richelieu” on its façade. Inside, you’ll find a stunning art gallery spread out over two floors, offering ample wall space for displayed works of art, some fluorescent, some realist, others zen, from over 40 painters and sculptors, all curated by gallery owners Guylaine Fournier and Pierre Pellerin.
Pier
The bridge lit up by the jetty, the sorbet-pink coloured snack bar, the soft serve, the yellow locomotive of the Charlevoix train and the rocks all lit up: evenings here are always Instaworthy!
Picnic tables, an old section of pier now covered in green grass, a giant inukshuk along with dozens of smaller ones left by visitors, the station, an unlikely granite staircase that descends right into the water at high tide but gives access to the sand bar at low tide, a heron spending the night on the shore, seals popping up to say hello, a towering ancient coastline and a wooden staircase connecting the casino…the pier district offers adventures galore!
15.
A boat shed? No, it’s the workshop of painter Martin Desbiens. Spin a yarn or two with him and you might just leave with a canvas tucked under your arm!
16.
Large windows, a seasonal patio and laid-back decor will really make you want to stop for a rest at Café de la Gare; you’ll also be enticed by their delicious mussels and pizzas!
17.
Candy pink and very cute, Chez Chantal is the official go-to spot for poutine, lobster rolls and the dairy bar of all your sweetest dreams. Long live summer!
18.
There’s something wolfish-y about the façade of Resto-pub du Quai—in fact, the ocean’s on the menu, which features Cajun crab and corn in papillote!
19.
Locals from all generations have danced at this nightclub. If you want to be seen out on the town, Bar le Jazz is the place to go for a night out—good times guaranteed!
20.
Adorn yourself with creations by talented Quebec jewelry makers from the boutique Indigène, which also offers various eclectic local and eco-friendly products!
21.
Enjoy an intimate, cozy evening in the charming little Resto Tandem with its unique decor. Their menu includes tajines, beef tongue and the like, all served up to perfection with a side of simplicity
Falaises
A glimpse of this road perched up high and lined with ancient villas and hundredyearold trees…
Want to sleep in the old second home of a wealthy American or in a modern suite with a view? In any case, stop for the night and let Pointe-au-Pic surprise you yet again with its animated murals along the Cité Mémoire Charlevoix journey, its shows and its bars…
22.
Walls made of red pine, impressive foyers, sitting rooms and a cozy, down-to-earth bar: nestled in a huge wooded garden, Auberge Les Sources is a getaway you won’t want to miss!
23.
At the foot of côte Bellevue, La Remontée is a recently opened, comfortable accommodation offering rooms as well as apartments and even cabins clustered around their outdoor pool.
24.
With a view overlooking the blue river, Les 3 Canards is an inn offering accommodations in addition to a spectacular dining room where you can enjoy a lovely brunch or evening meal.
25.
Le Petit Manoir du Casino is a recently rebuilt lodging; they have added a natural water source that runs over the rocky clefts, forming a breath-taking indoor spa.
Head right this way for a fun time...
Casino de Charlevoix
Sure, you’ll get excited for the machines and game tables and want to take your chances. But you’ll look forward even more to the fun times at Bar Le 21 and its frequent shows with electrifying party vibes, unique themes and even a StHubert dining room for adults only, as well as a takeout counter.
Fairmont
le Manoir Richelieu
You’ll want to add this to your itinerary if you’re looking for some adventurous fun! Visitors come here for mini-golf with their family, the giant zip line, the via ferrata, the electric snowmobiles and the quads for rent, the spa and the four-season outdoor pool, the circus in the summer time…You’ll want to hang out for a little while longer for a hot drink at the café, a family meal at Bellerive, a glass in the solarium of Bar La Brise…
29.
There’s a whole imaginary world to discover in the paintings of Laurent Lafleur. You’ll stumble upon this small green and yellow gallery just as one might fall down the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland!
26.
The Hotel au Petit Berger is partially hidden from view along the lush chemin des falaises and includes a foyer and a pool with views of the countryside.
27.
A Nordic spa with multiple pools set into the escarpment, a gourmet dining experience at the aptly named Le perché gourmand—you’ll want to spoil yourself at the Auberge des Falaises!
28.
Sunny yellow and covered in vines, the Auberge sur la Côte offers an absolutely stunning view that you’ll want to take in while kicking back in one of their many lawn chairs!
Come by car, bike, foot,
sailboat or train...
but don’t forget to pay us a visit!
See you soon
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Text
Camille Dufour Truchon
Photos
Patrice Gagnon, Sylvain Foster, Karine Deschênes (Illustration), courtoisie, Paul-Philippe Nadeau, Loto Québec
