American World Traveler Summer 2017 Issue

IIt all started with a big bang. More than
300 million years ago, an asteroid
crashed into the Charlevoix region,
forming its remarkable landscape that is
now a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Today the crater walls are tree-covered
mountains that create a natural wonderland,
especially when it’s combine with the
gorgeous sight of the mighty St. Lawrence
River. Located approximately 90 minutes
northeast of Quebec City, there’s plenty to
explore. During a fun-packed long weekend
we discovered the Isle-aux-Coudres, a
small island that’s big on character. We
strolled through the village of Baie St. Paul
with its numerous art galleries and boutiques,
and even boarded a helicopter for a
memorable birds-eye-view of Charlevoix’s
out-of-this-world landscape.
Fairmont Manoir Richelieu
But I have to admit there were times it was
difficult to leave the hotels. Truly hard.
Why? Because both properties we stayed at
– Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and Le
Germain Hotel Charlevoix —were destinations
themselves. Farm-to-table cuisine,
pampering spas, local history, gorgeous
views, welcoming décor and a host of other
amenities and services made for unforgettable
stays.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Aptly referred to as the Castle on the Cliff,
this historic property sits idyllically between
the Laurentian Mountains and the St.
Lawrence River near the town of La
Malbaie. The grand hotel was established
during the ‘white boat era’ at the turn of the
century, when well-to-do tourists would
travel down the river from the cities and
stay for the season. Elvis Presley, Angelina
Jolie, Charlie Chaplin and former US president
William Howard Taft are among its
celebrity guest alumni. You may think this
sounds a tad pretentious, but Le Manoir is
anything but.
We felt welcomed from the moment we
arrived from the bright fire in the foyer to
the view of the St. Lawrence in our rooms.
Everywhere we turned there was some
curiosity to admire whether it was the his-