From Montreal, we headed for Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, at the foot of Le Massif.

Our first impression? A feeling of immense joy, reinforced by the tides that make us feel like we’re on the sea. From the windows of our room we admire the horizon and feel caught up in the river’s beauty.

Big Blue

Housed in the heart of the forest, with its architecture facing the St. Lawrence, one can enjoy numerous relaxation areas and activity zones with a view, from the different floors of the resort. From the hammocks lining the pool, the jacuzzi on the outdoor terrace, to the training rooms, yoga rooms and the spa area, we see life in blue.

Wellness Break at Club Med Spa by Sothys

Forget everything for an hour and have a customized massage at the spa. Once you loosen up, you can enjoy the relaxation area, the sauna or the outdoor terrace where rocking chairs, deckchairs and a whirlpool bath offer a breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River and the surrounding nature.

From the top of the Massif to the edge of the river

For the more adventurous, there are mountain bike rides and hiking trails, all supervised by the club’s friendly staff (Remember to sign up for the activities the day before for the next day.) Families with younger children can opt for the gondola ride up the mountain. Spectacular views are guaranteed! As for the events available at the hotel, it’s a good idea to find out about them in advance and phone the hotel to book them before your arrival.

Gourmet food is near

At a time when (unfortunately) many restaurants suffer from a lack of manpower and customers sometimes have long waiting times, the all-inclusive food is an undeniable advantage, especially with children!

The food offered is varied and high quality—certainly one of the most pleasant surprises of our stay. At the Market, the choice of local products mixed with international dishes and the unmissable classics is enough to seduce young and old guests. The presentation of the dishes and desserts is remarkable. Gluten-free options are also available. Additionally, five spaces with distinct atmospheres, two of which have large windows overlooking the river, have each meal becoming a tasty moment—bring sunglasses at breakfast: the reflection of the sun on the river is dazzling!

A little bonus: lunch boxes are available to take along for the day or for the journey home.

The Chalet, the second restaurant of the resort (open in the evening on reservation), offers a fine dishes in a more cozy and intimate atmosphere.

In the family

The beauty of Club Med is also… the kids’ clubs! While parents take a moment to themselves, a source of fun for our offspring, is a must! Mini Club Med® of Charlevoix welcomes children from 0 to 17 years old with dedicated supervision and a host of adapted activities, both indoors and outdoors. Special mention to the great staff of the Family Team!

While we were enjoying a massage, the big outdoors and its cotton candy machine delighted our 4-year-old son. He didn’t want to go on the water slide, but the older children had a great time! Another popular activity for the little ones was the circus workshops given in the theatre at 10am. All children, whether or not they are registered with the Mini Club, can take part in. Finally, various exploratory hikes and mountain bike tours are also offered according to age group (registration for Mini Club activities is done between 5:30 and 6:30 pm the day before for the following day.)

Exclusive Collection

We had the privilege of staying in a spacious suite in the Exclusive Collection, with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large living room and a balcony with a view of the river. From the personalized welcome, to the dedicated concierge, to the lounge area and its terrace with a panoramic view including 2 whirlpool baths, everything in this wing of the resort is designed to give you a unique experience. Bonus: you can have a continental breakfast in your room and the main bathroom is equipped with Sothys products that smell like lemon and petitgrain. Divine!

Beautiful escapes

Based at Club Med, we explored the beauty of the Charlevoix region. Fancy an island exploration? From the hotel it takes 30 to 40 minutes by car to get to Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive and take the free ferry to L’Isle-aux-Coudres. You can drive around the island following the road along the river and stop at the beaches, at the eco-musuem of the Moulins de l’Isle-Aux-Coudres and at the Cap-aux-Pierres hotel or at the Bouchard bakery for a lunch break on the terrace with a view.

Another option is to take the Charlevoix train, which runs along the river to Baie-Saint-Paul and passes close to the hotel, in the village of Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. A few steps from the train stop, you’ll find a small sandy beach lined with colourful flowers.

We leave this family escapade extremely charmed!

To find out more about Club Med Charlevoix, click here.

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