If you’re travelling to La Belle Province this summer, level up with a ride on the Train de Charlevoix. It’s one of the most scenic railways in Canada, and you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the moments, as the journey becomes the destination.

Are you planning a trip to Québec City this summer? Then you’ll be perfectly poised to take advantage of one of the best-known secrets on a wonderful railway in Canada, the last tourist train left in Quebec: the Train de Charlevoix. Built in 1919, it boards from Québec City daily, and meanders through two different regions: Côte-de-Beaupré and Charlevoix.

 

Travelling a coastal journey between Québec City and La Malbaie along the St. Lawrence, the 125-kilometre railway chugs along the edge of the St. Lawrence River going through two spectacular tunnels. This day-tripping adventure reveals jaw-dropping vistas of unique landscapes and charming villages and towns. It’s like stepping into a picture-perfect postcard where you can feel the salty sea breeze and caress the rocky faces of age-old mountains.

The railway is all about discovering a region, its history and its people. The best part? You can customize your own adventure, with simple train travel, train and accommodation, or train and activities packages to book excursions that cater to your personal interests.

Step off the train at Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré to visit the city centre and the Ste-Anne Basilica, the oldest pilgrimage sight in North America. Or book an excursion to Baie-St-Paul in the Charlevoix region, where you can stroll along rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste to shop, sip drinks on a patio, or enjoy a meal at one of the stellar restaurants before checking out the art galleries to view the palette of local and international artists. (Actually, this street has the highest concentration of art galleries per square foot of any street across the country.) And you might not even have to go inside… street painters create lovely canvasses of inspiring Charlevoix scenes. If you like biking, rent a bike of the railroad stations and pedal along in one of the seaside villages. Or take a break and enjoy a day on the sandy beach at Saint-Irénée.

 

Pack an overnight bag and travel to La Malbaie to stay the night at a hotel, then take your time meandering along streets that once hosted jetsetters from Toronto, Montreal, and the States, savour a meal at a renowned restaurant, and check out one of Canada’s top rated golf courses or sea kayak excursions. Or try one of the new packages offered this year: hop on the Malbaie shuttle heading for Menaud of Clermont, a unique distillery and craft brewery making waves across the province.

5 Best Reasons to Hop on the train

1. It’s fun! Recapture the wonder of childhood, when you would press your face up against the window of a train and watch the world go by.

2. It’s fast and easy. Riding the rails means you don’t have to arrive three hours before take-off for security like you do at the airport.

3. It’s the slow life. You get to enjoy the breathtaking scenery in total comfort because you don’t have to stress over driving a vehicle.

4. It’s green. According to one study, motorists account for about 70 per cent of transport CO2 emissions, air travel makes up about 12 per cent, and rail travel accounts for less than two per cent – that’s amazing for the environment.

5. It’s kid-friendly. Kids are always welcome on trains and there’s so much to see, they’ll never get bored. 

BONUS: Riding a train is convenient and the price is right, but perhaps the main reason is the charm of the locomotive. It’s like a step into a gentler, calmer world.

 

This summer, board the Train de Charlevoix and enjoy the moments by immersing yourself in the sights of natural beauty that will last a lifetime.

For more information, call toll-free at 1-844-737-3282 ;  Visit online at Train de Charlevoix ;  FB: Train de Charlevoix  or IG: @traindecharlevoix