History

While the current town of La Malbaie did not formally appear in the late 1990s, its history harkens all the way back to the mid-18th century. The first settlers to arrive in the area were two British Army officers: John Nairne and Malcolm Fraser. Nairne and Fraser had served with distinction in the French and Indian War, having played a significant role in capturing the cities of Québec City and Louisbourg at the height of the conflict. Due to their lack of economic prospects in their native Scotland, the men decided to acquire land in an unpopulated part of Upper Québec at the confluence of the Malbaie and St. Lawrence Rivers. The British Crown eventually awarded their claim in 1761, granting Nairne the western shore of the Malbaie River and Fraser the eastern side. As such, Nairne’s settlement became known as the Seignory of La Malbaie, while Fraser’s was designated as the Seignory of Mount Murray. But they also informally renamed the entire river—as well as its accompanying bay—after General John Murray, who had served alongside the two men in the French and Indian War. Smaller communities then quickly formed around the area, such as the Parish of Saint-Étienne in 1774. The inhabitants eventually made several attempts to incorporate the entire area into one community over the next several decades, forming at various points the Municipality of La Malbaie and the Municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Murray-Bay. Then in the late 1890s, the village of La Malbaie—the former center of the Seignory of La Malbaie—seceded and became its own political entity known as the Village Municipality of La Malbaie.

It was around this time that the historically powerful Taft family of Ohio established a beautiful summer home along the Malbaie River. The most prominent member of the family to frequent the location was William Howard Taft, who would become President of the United States, as well as a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Taft was beloved throughout the community, as the natives took to affectionately calling him as “le petit juge.” Many lifted their caps to him as he passed them on the street and featured his visage in dozens of local plays. They even held a large candle-light vigil upon learning of his death in 1930. The Municipality of Saint-Étienne-de-Murray-Bay eventually became known as Saint-Etienne-de-la-Malbaie in 1957. Meanwhile, the neighboring Village Municipality of La Malbaie changed its own designation to that of a town, formally becoming the town of La Malbaie in 1958. The town of La Malbaie gradually absorbed the surrounding communities throughout the remainder of the 20th century, culminating with the merger between the town of La Malbaie and the neighboring settlements of Rivière-Malbaie, Saint-Fidèle, Cap-à-l'Aigle, Sainte-Agnès, and Pointe-au-Pic in 1999. Today, the town of La Malbaie is among the most exciting destinations in Québec’s Charlevoix region. Located a couple hours north of Québec City, the area today is celebrated for its competitive fishing, delicious cuisine, and tranquil ambiance. Charlevoix itself was designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere in 1989, due to its rich wildlife and picturesque geography. Few places are better for a relaxing vacation in all of Québec than the town of La Malbaie.

Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu displays some of the finest Châteauesque-style architecture in the world. This outstanding architectural form first became popular in Western societies at the height of the Victorian Era, starting with the United States in the 1870s. Architect Richard Morris Hunt introduced the architectural aesthetics of the French Renaissance to America upon completing his studies at the renowned École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Upon his return across the Atlantic, he began using the style to create magnificent manors for many of the country's most powerful families. The new architectural form spread like wildfire across North America. In Canada, the first building to feature Châteauesque architecture was the gorgeous Voltigeurs de Québec Armoury (Quebec City Armoury) in downtown Québec City. Architects across the country quickly adopted the aesthetic, as such, including John Smith Archibald of the firm Archibald and Schofield. Archibald’s firm would then go on to design several outstanding structures with Châteauesque architecture, such as Bessborough Hotel, the Hotel Vancouver (another member of Historic Hotels Worldwide), and of course, the Manoir Richelieu.

Châteauesque architecture attempted to make buildings appear as if they were one of the grand French manors that emerged in the Loire Valley from the late 15th to the early 17th centuries. This unique architectural style blends elements of Revivalist and French Renaissance design aesthetics to achieve its distinctive appearance. But it also borrows design principles from Gothic and Italian Renaissance-style architecture, providing slight variations in appearance that differ somewhat from the Loire Valley’s manors. Still, buildings developed using Châteauesque architectural elements feature a few key structural elements from the French Renaissance: grand ornamentations, lavish chimneys, and beautiful towers. The steeply pitched roof functioned was the highlight of the structure, as it typically featured decorative gabled dormers and spectacular finials. In most cases, the roof line often varied in height, reflecting the asymmetrical layout architects used to create the Châteauesque-style building’s foundation. Balconies also displayed quatrefoil or arched tracery, while exterior entrances contained different kinds of ornate archways. Truly, Châteauesque design aesthetics are among the most gorgeous in existence today.

• Bob Hope, comedian and patron of the United Service Organization (USO). 
• Fred Astaire, dancer and actor known for his roles in such films like Top Hat, Funny Face, and Swing Time.
• William Howard Taft, 27the President of the United States (1909 - 1913) and 10th Chief Justice of the United States (1921 - 1930)

• If Looks Could Kill (1991)
• Beyond Borders (2003)
• Michel Vaillant (2003)
• An Eye for Beauty (2014)