We Tested It for You: Les Montagnards de Charlevoix

Estelle, our travel coordinator, recently spent a few days on the ground in the Charlevoix region. Just 1 hour 30 minutes from Quebec City, she headed into mountain scenery for a getaway at a Wild West-style ranch! She greatly enjoyed this equestrian experience and shares her opinion for your clients.

LES MONTAGNARDS DE CHARLEVOIX AT A GLANCE

  • Type of services: Horseback riding, chalet accommodation
  • Region: Quebec (Charlevoix)
  • Location: 12 minutes from Baie-Saint-Paul
  • Audience: Families, couples

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LES MONTAGNARDS DE CHARLEVOIX

Right from the start, the property offers a stunning view of the backcountry and the mountains of Grands-Jardins National Park. Your clients will surely be swept away by the change of scenery and won over by the setting. We were lucky enough to try the experience in fall colors: absolutely magical!

Run by the father-daughter duo Daniel and Virginie, this passionate ranch has 31 horses in total. From ponies for the youngest riders to sturdy Percherons for larger frames, Les Montagnards de Charlevoix can accommodate all body types and all levels of riders. A detail that we were sensitive to.

Your beginner travelers will enjoy the one-hour ride, at a walk only, with a route balanced between a peaceful forest trail and a clearing of wild blueberries with panoramic views. For families, Estelle recommends the introductory package, which lets guests fetch the horses from the pasture with the guide and get them ready, ideal with children.

Good news for your more experienced clients: Les Montagnards also offers a livelier two-hour ride. With a rugged trail and a stretch at a gallop, it’s a guaranteed treat. All the more so since ranches in Canada rarely agree to let visitors gallop, which gives the adventure a special flavor.

Daniel and Virginie are never short of options to satisfy every type of client. For those who don’t want to ride, it is also possible to take a cowboy wagon ride to discover this beautiful corner of nature. And when you say cowboy experience, you say BBQ: smoked meat from the region, prepared by Daniel himself in his smokehouse, for your travelers in groups of 10 or more. The Toundra team had a feast!

WHAT SETS LES MONTAGNARDS DE CHARLEVOIX APART

This Charlevoix ranch isn’t just about horseback riding: you can also stay on site for one or more nights. Your clients can choose between a round-log chalet for 6 guests and another that sleeps 18.

With bedding, a fully equipped kitchen and a hot tub, it’s an authentic, comfortable, turnkey experience that can hold its own against the American West. The main ranch is 4 km from the accommodations, and your trusty steeds stay with you throughout your stay. At Toundra, we loved this nature break, so human in scale and so close to the horses.

At the time of writing, Daniel and Virginie are planning to expand their accommodation offering with around twenty small rustic chalets for two. With no Wi-Fi, solar power and composting toilets, expect a digital detox offering designed for couples looking for a distinctive nature experience in Quebec.

Not to mention that Les Montagnards operates year-round. Summer or winter, in the saddle or aboard a horse-drawn sleigh pulled by draft horses, it’s a unique way to discover the Charlevoix region. Here on the team, we’re already looking forward to repeating the experience in the snowy, postcard-perfect landscapes of this down-to-earth Quebec.

TOUNDRA’S VERDICT EN BREF

Less than 15 minutes from Baie-Saint-Paul, this is a stop that fits in well on the road to Tadoussac during whale-watching season. In winter, it’s an easy getaway from Quebec City, and it can be combined with a visit to Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park. It’s also a great chance to meet the people who keep the real Quebec alive, off the beaten path. At Toundra, we loved the authentic, no-frills and warm welcome.

“Les Montagnards de Charlevoix offers a one-of-a-kind immersion in ranch life in Quebec. From a simple ride to multi-night vacations, the offering is complete and suitable for the whole family. A wonderful discovery that we highly recommend!”
– Estelle, travel coordinator