Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada Summary

One of Charlevoix’s earliest settlements and longtime gathering place for Québec’s landscape painters, the picture-perfect BAIE-SAINT-PAUL is tucked into the Gouffré valley at the foot of the highest range of the Laurentian mountains. Dominated by the twin spires of the church, the streets wind from the centre of town flanked by houses that are more than two hundred years old – and just wandering around Baie-Saint-Paul is the main attraction. For an overview of the works of art produced in Charlevoix, visit the Centre d’Art de Baie-Saint-Paul, behind the church at 4 rue Ambroise-Fafard (daily: late June to early Sept 9am-7pm; early Sept to late June 9am-5pm; free), which has excellent exhibitions of paintings and sculptures mostly inspired by the surrounding countryside; the Centre’s boutique also sells local crafts. Opposite, at no. 23, the plush Centre d’Exposition (same times; $3) has established an international reputation for the excellence of its temporary exhibitions of Québécois and international art. Also every August to early September, at a symposium, the public can watch young Canadian and European artists at work in the nearby arena.