Quebec has no shortage of spots that’ll take your breath away (it’s not called “la belle province” for nothing!). From the cobblestones of Old Quebec to the emerald green waters of Anticosti Island, the province is full of places waiting to be discovered.
Now, one small Charlevoix town has been crowned North America’s most peaceful destination.
A new study from Betway compared towns across Canada and the U.S. on everything from air quality to population density to online searches for “noise” and “spas.” The winner wasn’t a remote island or a luxury resort, but Baie-Saint-Paul — a riverside town tucked between mountains and the St. Lawrence.
The ranking
Baie-Saint-Paul didn’t top any single category in the ranking, but its strong performance across the board, which included an average air quality index of 27 and a population density of just 35 people per square kilometre, pushed it to the top.
In fact, Canadian towns dominated the list, claiming five of the top six spots. Here’s the full top 10, along with each spot’s overall score:
- Baie-Saint-Paul, QC – 72.78
- Jasper, AB – 70.41
- Tofino, BC – 69.86
- Killarney, ON – 69.57
- Woodstock, NY – 68.17
- Ucluelet, BC – 68.01
- Bar Harbor, ME – 67.04
- Bluff, UT – 65.78
- Truth or Consequences, NM – 64.28
- North Conway, NH – 64.15
Why Baie-Saint-Paul stands out
Set between mountains and the river, Baie-Saint-Paul has long been a favourite stop for big-city folks looking for a slower pace.
The town is known for its abundance of art galleries, farm-to-table dining, and hiking trails that reveal sweeping Charlevoix views.
In fact, MTL Blog readers often name it one of their top fall destinations, raving about the fiery foliage that lights up the valley every year. Many also point to the wider Charlevoix region as one of Canada’s most beautiful areas, and Baie-Saint-Paul sits right in the middle of it. It’s also a common stop for anyone heading from Quebec City up to La Malbaie or Tadoussac.
Peaceful, but not boring
Tranquil doesn’t have to mean dull. Baie-Saint-Paul has a strong creative streak. Its streets are lined with cafés, boutiques, and galleries that make strolling through town feel like walking through a movie set.
Food is a big part of the draw. Le Mouton Noir is loved for its terroir-driven plates overlooking the Rivière du Gouffre, while Les Labours at Le Germain Charlevoix Hotel puts local producers front and centre. Beer fans head to MicroBrasserie Charlevoix, where classics like Dominus Vobiscum and Flacatoune have put the region on the craft beer map.
And then there’s the river itself. At Boisé du Quai Park, a sandy beach stretches along the edge of the St. Lawrence. On warm days, locals and visitors alike lay out on the sand, dip their toes in the water, or just watch the tides against the mountain backdrop.
Meanwhile, there’s no shortage of ways to explore the outdoors. You can kayak on the St. Lawrence, hike into the surrounding hills, or catch views that stretch across the entire valley. If you’re up for a short drive, the region is also one of Quebec’s prime whale-watching hubs.
It’s certainly peaceful, but far from boring.
Getting there
Best of all, Baie-Saint-Paul isn’t hard to reach.
By car, it’s just over three hours from Montreal or about an hour from Quebec City, making it an easy weekend escape. Unlike some laborious treks, the drive itself is part of the appeal. Once you leave the highways behind, the road winds through the Charlevoix hills with plenty of places to pull over for epics views of the Fleuve.
But once you’re in town, everything is pretty walkable. From cafés and galleries to the riverfront beach, you don’t really need a car to enjoy it.
That’s part of the charm: you don’t have to fly across the country to find peace and quiet. A few hours on the road, and you’re in a place where time slows down (in the best way possible).
