Celebrated its 125th Anniversary in 2024
Travel + Leisure — Best Resort Hotels in Canada, Ranked #4 (2022)
AAA/CAA — Four Diamond Award (2022)
Perched atop the Pointe-au-Pic bluffs, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu has been a celebrated Canadian landmark for over 125 years, marking its milestone in 2024. The building reflects the elegance of a French manor, with timeless architecture and sweeping St. Lawrence River views. Ranked among Canada’s top resorts by Travel + Leisure, it features 27 holes of world-class golf, a lively casino, heated pools, and the rejuvenating Moment Spa. Dining highlights regional flavors at Le Saint Laurent, while terraces and lounges offer relaxed spaces. Guests can explore the Charlevoix region through whale-watching cruises, Ski-Doo tours, Nordic skiing, kayaking, or the Flavor Trail for local food and drinks. From chandelier-lit ballrooms to scenic outdoor adventures, this historic landmark offers an elevated retreat.
181 Rue Richelieu, G5A 1X7 La Malbaie, Canada
The story of Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu begins in 1899, opening during the Victorian era and becoming popular from the start. Designed by architect Edward Maxwell, the hotel was built for the Richelieu and Ontario Navigation Company, which transported people and goods along the St. Lawrence River. They chose a stunning spot on the Pointe-au-Pic bluffs, hoping the area’s peaceful beauty would encourage more travelers to use their passenger ships.
In 1913, the company merged with others to form Canada Steamship Lines. Under this new leadership, the hotel underwent a major transformation in 1929. Architect John Smith Archibald redesigned it to resemble a grand manor from France’s Loire Valley. Around the same time, the company hired famous British golfer Herbert Strong to create a golf course, which opened in 1925 with a celebration attended by former U.S. President William Howard Taft. The course quickly became legendary and was named Canada’s Golf Course of the Year in the early 2000s.
Despite its popularity, mid-century travel slowdowns brought challenges. In 1966, Canada Steamship Lines sold the hotel to an engineering firm to focus on finances. After several ownership changes, the property joined Canadian Pacific Hotels in 1998. When the company reorganized, it became part of the world-famous Fairmont brand. Today, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu remains one of Canada’s most prestigious destinations, offering luxury matched by few hotels anywhere.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is an architectural gem perched on the Pointe-au-Pic bluffs, offering stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. Built in the Châteauesque style, its grand towers, steep roofs, and elegant turrets give the hotel a stately presence, while ornate balconies and detailed entrances highlight its timeless charm. The design draws inspiration from the grand French manors of the Loire Valley, with features like decorative gabled dormers, finials, lavish chimneys, and intricately designed balconies.
Inside, the hotel impresses with its rich woodwork, sweeping staircases, and chandeliers that fill the halls with soft, warm light. Rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated, featuring plush furnishings, classic touches, and large windows framing river or golf course views. Guests can relax in luxurious rooms or enjoy a Jacuzzi suite for ultimate comfort. The resort is fully accessible, with ADA-compliant rooms and thoughtfully designed spaces to ensure all visitors have a safe and comfortable stay.
Restaurant Le Saint Laurent offers a warm, elegant atmosphere with stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. Guests can enjoy French classics with a local twist, crafted by the hotel’s culinary team. Seasonal produce from nearby farms and local producers features prominently in both the à la carte and table d’hôte menus, ensuring fresh flavors in every dish. The evening menu, created by Chef Christophe Annerose with desserts by Chef Anthony Chemedikian, highlights carefully balanced dishes that make each meal memorable.
Opening hours:
Dinner: 5 pm to 9 pm (daily)
Sunday Brunch: 9 am to 1 pm (Every second Sunday of April)
Le Bellerive is a welcoming spot designed for sharing and conviviality, perfect for gatherings with family and friends. The menu blends European and Quebec flavors, offering something to satisfy every palate. Guests can enjoy meals in the bright, inviting dining area, at the bar, or on the terrace.
Breakfast at Le Bellerive features a variety of options, from buffet selections to à la carte dishes, ensuring a fresh start to the day. Dinner is available seasonally, offered at times other than winter, so guests can enjoy evening meals during the warmer months. Guests with food allergies are encouraged to let the staff know so every meal can be safe and enjoyable.
Opening hours:
Breakfast: 7 am to 11 am
Lunch: 11:30 am to 2 pm
Le Point Cardinal offers a relaxed all-day dining experience with breathtaking views of the golf course and the St. Lawrence River. The menu highlights casual, comfort-style cuisine with a mix of local and international flavors. Guests can enjoy breakfast, light meals, and sweet treats in a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant is closed during the winter season and reopens in the warmer months.
Bar La Brise is located in the hotel lobby and offers a comfortable spot to relax, have a drink, or meet friends. The space features wingback chairs near a piano, arched alcoves, coffered ceilings, dark wood, and wrought-iron chandeliers. Guests can use it for a quiet lunch, an afternoon drink, a small private gathering, or an evening visit with live entertainment.
Opening hours: 11 am to 11 pm (Sunday to Thursday); 11 am to midnight (Friday and Saturday)
During the summer, guests can enjoy the fresh Charlevoix air on one of the five terraces at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu. Each terrace offers a different setting, whether you want a meal, a drink with friends, or simply a view of the St. Lawrence River. The terraces are located at La Brise bar, Le Bellerive restaurant, Le Saint Laurent restaurant, Le Zéphyr bar, and Le Point Cardinal restaurant. They are open from May to October, depending on the weather.
Bar Le Zéphyr is located in the wellness center, next to the indoor swimming pools. Guests can find a wide range of drinks, including cocktails, soft drinks, and other refreshments. Outside of the summer season, opening hours may vary. On sunny days, visitors can relax on the terrace, enjoy a cocktail or other beverage, and cool off by the pool while taking in the surroundings.
Bellerive Café offers a selection of coffee, freshly pressed juices, and homemade pastries. The café features coffee from Barista, a Quebec-based micro roaster known for slow-roasted, high-quality blends. It’s a convenient spot for a morning coffee, a light snack, or a casual break during your visit.
William Howard Taft – former President of the United States, was present at the opening of the golf course.
Bob Hope – American comedian and USO supporter, noted as a historic guest.
Fred Astaire – dancer and actor known for classic films, visited the hotel.
Planning a wedding here gives you plenty of options. You can say “I do” on a riverfront terrace, in a cozy chateau-style salon with arched windows and Persian carpets, or in one of the grand ballrooms with sparkling chandeliers. The hotel’s certified wedding specialists help with everything, from planning the ceremony to creating a menu of regional dishes for your guests. After the celebration, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained, spa visits, golf, casino nights, whale-watching, farm tours, or outdoor adventures in Charlevoix.
Richelieu
Venue type and style: The Richelieu Ballroom is a grand, formal space with elegant décor and a flexible layout suitable for large banquets or meetings.
Capacity: Up to 1,050 guests
Malbaie
Venue type and style: The Malbaie room features crystal chandeliers, abundant natural light, and modern audiovisual facilities for conferences or celebrations.
Capacity: 530 guests
Murray Room
Venue type and style: Salon Murray offers a cozy, refined setting with direct access to the Richelieu Garden, ideal for receptions or dinners.
Capacity: 120 guests
Tea Room
Venue type and style: The Tea Room combines a warm ambiance with crystal chandeliers and a fireplace, perfect for meetings or intimate gatherings.
Capacity: 200 guests
Golf
Venue type and style: An outdoor ceremony space with panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River, ideal for unique weddings in nature.
Capacity: 100 guests
Oval
Venue type and style: A scenic riverside outdoor venue providing an elegant and memorable backdrop for small to medium wedding ceremonies.
Capacity: 150 guests
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu offers plenty to keep guests entertained, both on the property and in the surrounding Charlevoix region. On-site, the Moment Spa provides a full range of massages, aesthetics, and body treatments designed to relax muscles, reduce stress, and rejuvenate the senses.
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the 27-hole Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu Golf Club, designed to highlight the rugged terrain and St. Lawrence River views, while families and children can try the 9-hole Petit Golf or unwind in one of the three heated pools. Active visitors can play tennis with panoramic river views, and the nearby Casino de Charlevoix offers games, dining, and live entertainment.
Beyond the hotel, the Charlevoix region is a playground for outdoor adventure. Guests can explore the river and mountains via whale-watching cruises, kayaking, paddleboarding, canyoning, or kitesurfing, or go on ATV and Ski-Doo snowmobile tours through scenic trails. For winter sports, Les Sources Joyeuses provides Nordic ski trails and other seasonal activities. Food lovers can follow the Flavor Trail to sample local ciders, cheeses, chocolates, and other artisanal products. The hotel’s location ensures guests can easily combine relaxation, sports, and exploration in one memorable stay.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is a versatile destination for both corporate events and private celebrations. Flexible rooms, elegant architecture, and state-of-the-art audio-visual technology make it ideal for conferences, meetings, and branded events, while the same spaces can host family reunions, milestone birthdays, anniversaries, or private parties.
Events can take place in historic ballrooms, manicured lawns, the hilltop golf clubhouse, or dining venues. Catered dinners, banquets, galas, or interactive experiences like Iron Chef competitions are all possible. Venues accommodate a wide range of group sizes from intimate gatherings of two to large fundraisers or celebrations for 500 guests. The hotel’s experienced team helps plan every detail, ensuring each event, big or small, reflects your vision.
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu integrates eco‑responsible practices throughout its operations with the goal of protecting the environment and supporting the local community. The hotel works to reduce waste, conserve water, and improve energy efficiency as part of daily operations. Efforts include responsible waste sorting and recycling, food waste reduction through improved kitchen practices, and prioritizing local and seasonal ingredients to support the regional economy and lower the hotel’s carbon footprint.
Water conservation measures include installations like low‑flow fixtures and motion‑sensor faucets, and outdoor areas, including the golf course, are irrigated using collected rainwater. Energy‑saving strategies such as LED lighting, smart thermostats, heat pumps for pool heating, and electric vehicle charging stations help limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce resource use. The hotel also participates in initiatives like beehives in the Chef’s garden to support biodiversity and educational nature trails, and partners with local organisations for recycling programmes and community support.
A museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the regional history, art, and popular traditions of Charlevoix. (4-minute drive)
A breathtaking national park featuring some of the highest rock faces east of the Rockies and excellent hiking. (45-minute drive)
A scenic waterfront park in La Malbaie featuring walking paths, stunning St. Lawrence River views, and a public pier. (6-minute drive)
Aéroport de Charlevoix (CYML) is the nearest airport, approximately a 15-minute drive from the property.
The nearest railway station is Gare de La Malbaie, located just 3 minutes from the hotel via the Train de Charlevoix.