La Malbaie is beautiful. It is about 4 km from the Fairmont Manor Richelieu and the train station to the part of Malbaie where the Malbaie River joins the St. Lawrence. Most of the businesses and restaurants are close to the river mouth or on Rue Richelieu between the two intersections with the 362. There is a walkway between Rue Quai which goes from the wharf and train station all the way to where the Riviere Malbaie enters the St. Laurence. There is a park with a great playground for children, picnic tables, art pieces, and large lounge benches on a Quai that extends into the St. Laurence near the Malbaie.
There are several large beaches along the St. Laurence. In Domaine Forget, there is the Motel de Plage across the rail line from a lovely beach which was really busy Friday afternoon. The 362 follows close to the coast from Baie St. Paul to La Malbaie.
Restaurants were mostly very expensive. One of our best values was at an Italian restaurant in Baie St. Paul with great food and ordinary prices.
On our way home, we took a short side trip to the Chutes de Montmorency Park and a side trip to the downtown for Trois Rivieres. Three blocks of the street close to the information centre are closed to vehicles and lined with many restaurants. The waterfront there is a place where it would be easy to enjoy walking and relaxing for several hours and we will probably return there some day.
Whale watching tours are available in La Malbaie. Better whale watching is closer to Saguenay farther down river.
