Baie Saint Paul lies at the confluence of the Rivi?re du Gouffre and the Saint Lawrence River. French settlers moved in in 1678, making it one of Quebec's oldest towns.

 

Baie Saint Paul is the centre of Charlevoix County that features rivers, valleys and mountains. This scenic landscape has been depicted in the paintings of Clarence Gagnon who lived and worked in Baie Saint Paul in the early 1900's.

 

In 1984 Cirque du Soleil was created during a summer festival in the streets of Baie Saint Paul. Over the years the circus grew into the billion dollar international business it is today.

 

Today the town is the cultural center for many artists that expose and try to sell their art in the many galeries, musea and shops that dot the famous Rue St Jean Baptiste.

 

On a sunny afternoon in September 2017 we had some time to stroll along the colorful shops and check out the merchandise on offer.