Discover Baie-Saint-Paul by bike
What better way to discover Baie-Saint-Paul than by bike, with the wind in your hair and sunglasses on your face? From the tranquility of Bas-de-la-Baie to Baie-Saint-Paul's lively downtown core, gourmet and cultural attractions are just a few pedal strokes away. Bike rentals are available from Katabatik, located near the wharf.
Heading towards the Bas-de-la-Baie area on Chemin de La Pointe, the bike ride begins with a stop at Verger-Cidrerie Baie-St-Pomme. A small artisanal cidery and distillery, where wild apples are transformed into raw cider and exceptional spirits. Next door is a pretty little farmhouse with lavender fields. Azulée offers gourmet products such as blueberry and lavender jam and floral mustard. You can also get your hands on a few body products scented with the delicate scent of this magnificent flower.
Rendezvous at Maison Mère for a cappuccino and sweets stop at the Mousse Café before stretching your legs in François' Garden. After a short stroll through the trees and lovely flowers, head for the fields of Hôtel & Spa Le Germain Charlevoix to meet the friendly animals. Alpacas, sheep, chickens and Highland cows are happy to pose for a few shots.
There are only a few kilometers left on the Petites Franciscaines de Marie bike path to reach the Baie-Saint-Paul wharf and admire the wonderful scenery. Here, you can take a break and have a picnic on the sandy beach. Stop off at the St. Lawrence Pavilion to learn more about the boats and schooners that are an integral part of the region's history. Don't forget to climb the observation tower for a unique view of the St. Lawrence!
Back in downtown Baie-Saint-Paul, from rue Ambroise-Fafard to Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the choice of gourmet stops is vast. Coffee or dessert at Café Arômes et Saveurs, microbrewery beers at Le Saint-Pub, local sandwiches at Le Diapason- there's something for everyone. Once you've had your fill, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste is packed with art galleries and unique shops to visit. It's best to walk part of the way downtown, as the street is very busy in summer.
Close to downtown, Parc du Gouffre and its trails are the perfect way to end the day in nature. The dirt trails along the Rivière du Gouffre offer a variety of views of the mountains surrounding Baie-Saint-Paul. Rest areas and small beaches lurk all along the forest trails. Enjoy the ride!