Charlevoix in Automn Season
What to do in Charlevoix in Fall Season
September — that moment when summer quietly gives way to autumn. The evenings that used to stretch late, the terrace full until sunset, that urge to do everything at once because good weather never lasts long enough — all of it slowly retreats to make room for something else. A gentler space, slower, quieter.
We pull out the wool sweater we love wearing every year, sit down with a warm cup of tea in our hands, and watch the forest quietly change color. This transition reminds us that we too have the right to slow down and step into a slower, more mindful space.
So, are you thinking of taking the road along the river for a stay at Repère Boréal? Here are the best spots to fully experience the colors of Charlevoix.
Fall in Charlevoix unfolds at whatever pace you like. When we think of this time of year, we think of the best hikes for taking in the colors, but also the magical moments spent apple picking, tasting the season’s harvest, and of course the artisans who warm our hearts. So, where to start?
1. Head to Isle-aux-Coudres
The free ferry crossing to the island takes about fifteen minutes, giving you time to admire the river and Charlevoix’s mountains drifting by around you. Once you arrive on the island, a few minutes from the ferry dock is your first stop.
La Fabrique de l’Isle
Just steps from the dock, a former presbytery houses this café-boutique-gallery run by two cousins from the island, Caroline and Pascale. Step in for a coffee, tea, a little something sweet, or even a meal. Wander through to the boutique to discover treasures from local artisans, then continue on to the backyard, under the big apple trees, where tables invite you to sit and take your time…
Repère Boréal’s tip: Until September 2nd, don’t miss the Marché des Fabriqueux in the café’s backyard.
Cidrerie et Vergers Pedneault
A few steps from the café is Cidrerie et Vergers Pedneault. Since 1918, the family has grown more than 6,000 apple trees on their island land. Start off with apple picking, with the Saint Lawrence River as your backdrop. Then finish with a tasting at the Économusée du cidrier, where you’ll discover ciders, mistelles, and fruit creams born straight from this orchard.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Save some room in your bag for a bottle to bring back to Repère Boréal, to enjoy during apéro or by the fire.
Crédit photo : Tourisme Charlevoix
2. La Malbaie Road
Back from Isle-aux-Coudres, as you rejoin the river road toward La Malbaie, Route 362 turns into an open-air gallery. Between climbs that offer breathtaking views of the Saint Lawrence, several artisans have chosen to settle here.
Alpagas Charlevoix
A few minutes from Repère Boréal’s forest, this agrotourism farm is open until October 31st. Come warm your heart with the gentleness the alpacas offer: discover the fiber work done on-site by local artisans, and leave with a pair of socks or a knitted piece of wool, just in time for the approaching winter.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Call ahead to confirm the end-of-season schedule, as it can vary from year to year.
Chez Léon & Lily
Nestled right at the water’s edge, this Breton-inspired artisan biscuit shop has set up in a former corner store with the feel of an old-fashioned general store. You’ll find homemade cookies, cheeses, charcuterie, and local products, all packaged in metal tins decorated by regional artists — as lovely to keep as they are to give.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Take ten minutes to cross the road to Saint-Irénée beach with your box of cookies.
Les Ateliers Charlevoix
A little further along Route 362, a pottery studio open since 1985 welcomes curious visitors who want to watch an artisan work with Raku, this Japanese firing technique. The adjoining shop is packed with unique pieces, from coffee mugs to more contemporary creations.
Repère Boréal’s tip: This is just one stop along the arts and crafts route that runs along the river. Continuing on toward Pointe-au-Pic, the Boutique Charlevoix and the Corporation des métiers d’art bring together other regional artisans — pottery, stained glass, jewelry, and sculpture.
3. Tastings Along the Flavor Route
Charlevoix also tells its story through local flavors. Between Baie-Saint-Paul and Les Éboulements, the flavor route connects producers who grow, raise, and transform the very best the region has to offer — especially generous at harvest time.
La Famille Migneron
On the agricultural highlands of Baie-Saint-Paul, among grazing sheep and farm buildings, the Maison d’affinage Maurice-Dufour introduces visitors to its fine cheeses through a guided tasting — the kind that actually lets you understand what sets each bite apart, rather than picking labels at random.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Book the guided tasting in advance. It’s what turns a simple shop stop into a real discovery of the terroir.
Le Charlevoyou
Right next to La Famille Migneron, on the same land, a vineyard grows several grape varieties in the region’s rather boreal climate. In fall, during harvest season, the picnic area is perfect for an outdoor wine and cheese tasting.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Pair this stop with La Famille Migneron — they’re just steps apart.
Hydromel de Charlevoix
the terroir in a glass
From hive to bottle. Tastings that tell the story of Charlevoix through nectar — through the patient work of those who tend colonies at the forest’s edge. You walk in curious, you walk out carrying a bottle beautifully wrapped in the renowned papier St-Gilles.
Repère Boréal’s note : Ask for the guided tasting rather than choosing on your own — that’s where the real story of Charlevoix unfolds.
4. The Best Hikes for Taking in the Colors
Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie remains the region’s most spectacular backdrop in the fall, with its steep cliffs where maples and yellow birches blaze above the Malbaie River. For a quieter, free option, the Sentier Le Paysan in Les Éboulements winds through fields and forests to a lookout with views of the mountains, the river, and Isle-aux-Coudres in the distance.
Repère Boréal’s tip: Aim for a weekday for Hautes-Gorges — the color window draws a lot of visitors on weekends.
📍Parc national des Hautes-Gorges
Repère Boréal
Where you Land
We end by letting ourselves be wrapped in the warmth of the spa, steam rising into the crisp air, the fire crackling in front of the accommodation, a warm cup in hand, and the forest changing color all around.
The large windows onto the forest let in the light that fades a little earlier each evening, and the starry sky, even clearer in the autumn air.
