QUALITY OF LIFE

La Malbaie

Considered as a resort area for over two centuries, the region had no difficulty attracting well-to-do North American middle-class people in search of peacefulness, fresh air and beauty. Located on the shores of the St Lawrence River, La Malbaie, and particularly the Point-au-Pic sector, is in fact the cradle of holiday resorts in Canada. The prestigious Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Hotel, witness to the era of the famous white ships (beginning of the twentieth century) located atop the cliff, dominates the River. Sitting next to the Casino de Charlevoix, the Hotel is still a well sought-after destination.

The City of La Malbaie has expanded following an amalgamation of the former municipalities of Rivière-Malbaie, which harbours the Mont Grand-Fonds ski center, Sainte-Agnès, Cap-à-l'Aigle, Saint-Fidèle and Pointe-au-Pic. The latter two are neighbouring communities and overlook the St Lawrence River, offering breath-taking views. The town of St-Agnès, a pretty village located in a hilly setting at an average altitude of 450 meters, is the entrance to the Charlevoix back-country.

Seated in the heart of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, the City of La Malbaie covers an area of 470,57 square km and boasts a population of 9,334 inhabitants. The City acts as a services center for Charlevoix East, and its residents benefit from the proximity of the Saint-Joseph de La Malbaie Hospital, the École secondaire du Plateau (the high school), the Centre d’études collégiales en Charlevoix, the Place Charlevoix Shopping Center and have access to numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, inn, B&Bs and tourist attractions.

The City of La Malbaie boasts a young and dynamic residential development close to all the municipal services. Recreational, sports and cultural activities are an important aspect of the municipal scene. There is now a new sports complex comprising a semi-Olympic pool and a fitness centre located close to a softball diamond, tennis courts and an outdoors skating and hockey rink. In addition, a Museum and three libraries are being operated in the municipality.