La Malbaie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Malbaie
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City
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View of La Malbaie, Quebec
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| Motto(s):
In Fide Plantati et Radicati
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Location within Charlevoix-Est RCM
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 La Malbaie
Location in Central Quebec
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Quebec | |
| Region | Capitale-Nationale | |
| RCM | Charlevoix-Est | |
| Constituted | December 1, 1999 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 695.90 km2 (268.69 sq mi) | |
| • Land | 458.19 km2 (176.91 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2021)
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| • Total | 8,235 | |
| • Density | 18.0/km2 (47/sq mi) | |
| • Pop 2016–2021 |  0.4% |
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| • Dwellings | 4,563 | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Postal code(s) |
G5A
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| Area code(s) | 418 and 581 | |
| Highways |  Route 138 Route 362 |
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La Malbaie is a city in the Quebec province of Canada. It is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, where the Malbaie River flows into it. This city was once known as Murray Bay. La Malbaie is the main city for the Charlevoix area's legal system.
The city's main area is at the mouth of the Malbaie River. However, La Malbaie covers a large area. It stretches along both sides of the Malbaie River and along the St. Lawrence River. Several smaller villages joined with La Malbaie over the years. These include Pointe-au-Pic (in 1995), and Rivière-Malbaie, Sainte-Agnès, Cap-à-l'Aigle, and Saint-Fidèle (in 1999). The nearby town of Clermont is only about 7 km away along the Malbaie River.
Contents
History of La Malbaie
Early Days and Naming
In 1605, a French explorer named Samuel de Champlain arrived in the area. He couldn't find a good place to anchor his ship. Because of this, he called the bay Malle Baye, which means "bad bay" in old French.
Around 1688, people started to settle in La Malbaie. They first focused on sending lumber to France. Soon, they changed to trading furs and fishing for beluga whales. By 1724, a farm in La Malbaie began providing food for the French king's trading posts.
British Influence and New Name
In 1763, two Scottish officers from the British Army, John Nairne and Malcolm Fraser, received land in the area. Nairne's land included the small settlement of La Malbaie. Fraser's land stretched to the east. They renamed the bay, settlement, and river "Murray Bay." This new name honored James Murray, a British general.
Even though "Murray Bay" became well-known internationally, especially in the 1700s and 1800s, locals still used "La Malbaie." The church parish of Saint-Étienne-de-la-Malbaie was founded in 1774.
Growth as a Tourist Spot
In 1830, the steamship Waterloo visited La Malbaie for fun. This was the first recorded tourist visit. Around 1840, wealthy visitors started coming to La Malbaie for their summer vacations.
In 1853, a dock was built at Pointe-au-Pic. This allowed steamships to bring tourists regularly. The Parish Municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Murray-Bay was created in 1855.
The Murray Bay Golf Club opened in 1876. It is the third oldest golf course in North America. It is also the oldest one still operating in the same spot.
In 1892, William Howard Taft, who would later become a U.S. president, began spending his summers in La Malbaie. He visited almost every year for nearly forty years. The only time he missed was when he was president.
In 1896, the village of La Malbaie became its own municipality. In 1899, the grand Manoir Richelieu hotel opened. It had 250 rooms for the many summer visitors.
In 1914, former U.S. President William Howard Taft became the president of the Murray Bay Golf Club. He held this position for seven years. A second golf course, the Manoir Richelieu course, opened in 1925.
In 1928, the Manoir Richelieu was completely destroyed by fire. But it was quickly rebuilt and ready for visitors by 1929. In 1957, Saint-Étienne-de-Murray-Bay was officially renamed Saint-Étienne-de-la-Malbaie. The Village Municipality of La Malbaie became a town in 1958.
Modern Amalgamations and Events
In 1965, the Town of La Malbaie took over the parish municipality. In 1995, La Malbaie and Pointe-au-Pic merged. They formed the Town of La Malbaie–Pointe-au-Pic.
In 1999, several other areas joined them. These included Rivière-Malbaie, Saint-Fidèle, Cap-à-l’Aigle, and Saint-Agnès. Together, they formed the new Town of La Malbaie.
In 2018, La Malbaie's Manoir Richelieu hotel hosted the 44th G7 summit. This important meeting was led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
La Malbaie's Enduring Appeal
La Malbaie has been a popular holiday spot for a long time. Tourism started as early as 1760. Wealthy families from the U.S. and Canada began visiting around 1840. They enjoyed picnics, fishing, swimming, and hosting parties in their large "cottages." Many of their families still visit every summer.
People called Murray Bay the "Newport of Canada." Rich business owners, mayors, and judges came to escape the hot cities. They enjoyed relaxing and playing golf.
William Howard Taft, a U.S. president, was a regular visitor for nearly forty years. He once said that the air in Murray Bay was "invigorating" and made him feel great. The local people loved Taft. They called him "le petit juge" (the little judge).
The American history of La Malbaie can still be seen today. Many old inns and country homes remain. The grand Fairmont Manoir Richelieu hotel also shows this heritage. It hosted world leaders at the 44th G7 summit in 2018.
Geography and Earthquakes
La Malbaie is located in the Charlevoix Seismic Zone. This area is the most active earthquake zone in Eastern Canada. La Malbaie has a very high risk of earthquakes. However, there hasn't been a major earthquake there recently.
Population Information
In the 2021 Canadian census, La Malbaie had a population of 8,235 people. This was a small decrease of 0.4% from its 2016 population. The city has a land area of about 458 square kilometers (177 square miles). This means there were about 18 people living per square kilometer in 2021.
Most people in La Malbaie speak French as their first language (98.1%). A small number speak English (0.8%) or other languages.
Fun Things to Do in La Malbaie
La Malbaie is famous for its beautiful scenery and natural surroundings. In the past, visitors came for saltwater swimming and excellent fishing. Today, people still enjoy the views and outdoor activities.
Modern visitors might swim in the pools at the Manoir Richelieu instead of the river. They can still go fishing. Other popular activities include hiking, cycling, and golfing in the summer. In winter, people enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Many visitors also love the unique French-Canadian culture.
Main Attractions
- Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu: This famous hotel is a landmark in La Malbaie. It was first built in 1899 and rebuilt in 1929 after a fire. It sits on a cliff with amazing views of the St. Lawrence River. The hotel hosted the 44th G7 summit in June 2018.
- Casino de Charlevoix: This casino is located right next to the Manoir Richelieu.
- Golf Courses: La Malbaie has two golf courses. The Manoir's course is on the hilltop above the hotel. The Murray Bay Golf Club is closer to the center of town.
- Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park: This park is about 40 km northwest of town. It's great for outdoor lovers. You can find hiking and cycling trails here. There's also a scenic boat tour on the Malbaie River.
- Mont Grand-Fonds: This is a ski hill about 15 km north of town. It has a vertical drop of 335 m and lots of snow. You can also find 140 km of cross-country ski trails and 41 km of snowshoe trails.
- Musée de Charlevoix: This museum teaches about the history and art of the area. It's easy to reach from many local hotels.
- Cap-à-l’Aigle Village: This part of La Malbaie is known as one of Quebec's most beautiful villages. It has many old homes and inns. It's a lovely place for a walk, especially in June when the lilac trees are blooming. Cap-à-l’Aigle also has a marina.
- Agrotourism: Many local farms and food producers welcome visitors. You can learn about local food and products.
- Observatoire de l’Astroblème de Charlevoix: This center explains how a meteorite created the unique geography of Charlevoix.
- Whale Watching: While whales don't often come to La Malbaie, the town is a short drive from Tadoussac. There, you can take a whale-watching tour and visit the Saguenay Fjord.
Notable People from La Malbaie
- Laure Conan (1845–1924): A famous French-Canadian novelist. Her real name was Marie-Louise-Félicité Angers.
- Francis Cabot (1925–2011): An American gardener and expert in growing plants.
- Ann-Renée Desbiens (1993–): An Olympic ice hockey player.
- Valérie Harvey (born 1979): A writer and sociologist.
See also
In Spanish: La Malbaie para niños
