Baie-Saint-Paul art trail
In Charlevoix, art is everywhere. Whether it's to express an emotion, an experience or a thought, art wins every heart and can be found in every form. Would you like to combine art with the pleasures of the great outdoors? Here's a one-hour art tour you can take this summer in Baie-Saint-Paul.
This artistic tour promises to lead to beautiful discoveries while enjoying the great outdoors. For more detailed guidance along the way, the Parcourir Charlevoix mobile application is available for all cell phones and will explain the route in greater depth, which can be found in the Baie-Saint-Paul - Artistic and picturesque section.
Located at 4, rue Ambroise-Fafard, Carrefour culturel Paul-Médéric is the first stop on the tour and the first place to park your car. Once you're there, you'll find a multidisciplinary venue where visual arts, animation, heritage and the performing arts are waiting to be discovered! The building is named in tribute to Abbé Jean-Paul Tremblay, alias Paul Médéric, a priest and writer originally from the town. This crossroads is the ideal place to contemplate the reflection of local cultural dynamism.
The tour continues at 23, rue Ambroise-Fafard, just a few steps from Carrefour culturel Paul-Médéric. The Musée d'art contemporain de Baie-Saint-Paul has everything to satisfy your artistic curiosity! This institution is renowned for its national and international exhibitions, which are presented throughout the year. Every year since 1982, the museum has also presented the Baie-Saint-Paul International Symposium of Contemporary Art, a unique event where artists from around the world come to work before the public.
Place de l'Église
Next, a detour to Place de l'Église is a must. From one season to the next, this place hosts a variety of cultural events. Whether it's the famous Le Festif! festival or the Symposium international d'art contemporain, Place de l'Église is an ideal place to relax and admire the heart of Baie-Saint-Paul's lively downtown core. What's more, the church opens its doors during the day to make way for the "Aux marges du silence" exhibition.
Head for the Rivière du Gouffre bridge to reach your next destination. This river, once used to transport goods and people by rowboat, is symbolic in that it crosses the entire city, from the mountains to the St. Lawrence River. Today, Katabatik - Aventure dans Charlevoix offers kayaking and paddleboarding activities down the river.
"Pont des chars
Are you a photography enthusiast? The "Pont des chars" gives you a whole new perspective on Baie-Saint-Paul. Located at 97, rue Saint-Joseph, it's the perfect place to take a behind-the-scenes look at the town. It offers a superb view of the Rivière du Gouffre, the church and the heart of the town, nestled in the majestic Charlevoix mountains.
You'll have to turn around and head back to downtown Baie-Saint-Paul to continue your journey. The charming Rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste is renowned for its high concentration of art galleries. With its festive allure, you'll find yourself immersed in a joyful, lively and dynamic atmosphere. Take the opportunity to visit one of the many fascinating art galleries: l'Harmattan, Iris and Porte Rouge.
René-Richard Library
The tour continues at 9, rue Forget. The municipal René-Richard library is open to all and houses a breathtaking collection of books, works of art and temporary exhibitions! It's a meeting and exchange place well worth the detour, as it also hosts the Charlevoix regional archive center, preserving the region's cultural pride.