This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel.
Baie-Saint-Paul, a small town on the Saint Lawrence River in the Charlevoix region, is on the North Shore between Quebec City and Tadoussac. It is well known for its well-preserved architecture and its relationship with arts.
While all seasons can be interesting in Baie-Saint-Paul, it's a wonderful place to experience winter (you can go snowmobiling); summers are hot and there are many festivals -- the best time to visit is probably autumn (in Charlevoix, the colours in the trees are spectacular). Oranges, reds, yellows, and greens become a wonderful canvas and the weather is surprisingly mild. There are many scenic drives, including the Massif de Petite-Rivière-Saint-François. While Baie-Saint-Paul is not very far north compared to other warmer cities, the temperature can drop unexpectedly at night at any point in time during the year. If you're visiting a Baie-Saint-Paul hostel, you should bring warmer clothes with you at all times.
The main street, rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste, is home to art galleries, coffee shops, and nice boutiques. The houses on the main street are in the old French colonial style. A few restaurants -- most of them offering French food, bistro-style or upscale -- can be found in Baie-Saint-Paul. Some of them are only open during the summer, so call in advance to confirm that the place is open.
There are a few beaches everywhere around town. One of the most interesting attractions of the area is the Charlevoix crater, the hole created by the impact of a meteorite hitting the Earth millions of years ago.