CONCIERGE CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT Le Charlevoix restaurant; the storied Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu by night; the Manoir’s terrace, with its view, of the night sky and the majestic St. Lawrence River.
SPACE ODYSSEYS Experience stargazing at Fairmont properties across North America. Your trek begins in Charlevoix, Canada.
STAY Midway between the water and the mountains, Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, Charlevoix, has presided over the St. Lawrence River for more than a century. With its four-diamond CAA/AAA distinction, the property is a playground for all ages. Among its most memorable attractions are direct access to the Casino de Charlevoix, a 27-hole golf course, a spa, indoor and outdoor pools and, of course, the stargazing program. fairmont.com/richelieu
DO In Saint-Urbain, just a 45-minute drive away, the Centre de l’émeu de Charlevoix introduces visitors to emu products, including meat, which is very high in protein, and oil, which has incredible reparative and protective properties. emeucharlevoix.com
Le parc national des HautesGorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie is
44
FAIRMONT MAGAZINE
home to the highest peaks east of the Rockies. The park has 30 kilometers of hiking trails, including the Riverain, a newly marked hike specially designed for family outings. sepaq.com/pq/hgo
EAT Le Charlevoix, a gastronomic option at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, pays homage to the area’s farmers, cheesemakers and artisans with a menu that focuses on the best of the terroir. That philosophy guarantees both incredible freshness and gourmet indulgence, particularly if you se-
362
lect the Discovery menu, which offers four or five courses and wine pairings. fairmont.com/richelieu
Quebec City Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
St. Lawrence River MAP: JASMIN LEGATOS
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts offers a universe of stargazing activities. In the summer months, Le Vieux Club House, the outdoor restaurant at Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu, Quebec, Canada, is home to the Astronomical Observatory of Charlevoix, resulting in a menu that’s both gastronomic and astronomic. Before admiring the Milky Way with the guidance of a pro, indulge in mussels à la Copernicus, or better yet, à la Hubble, made with a whole other sort of dairy delight: Ciel de Charlevoix (Sky of Charlevoix) cheese. In Western Canada, the protected area surrounding The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper National Park, Canada, offers some of the best stargazing in the world. In the park’s exceptional darkness, you’ll see some of the nebulas dotting our galaxy. Meanwhile, every Friday at The Fairmont Orchid in Hawaii, U.S.A., point a powerful telescope at Cassiopeia or Orion while the brilliant astronomer Wayne Fukunaga and his Star Gaze Hawaii team explain how Polynesian sailors used to navigate by the stars – and how you can too.