Charlevoix - a Tradition of Hospitalilty

The Manoir Richelieu hotel and country inns of Charlevoix are familiar to visitors, but the private world of the summer houses and gardens of the area remains mysterious for most. In this new book in the Mendel Guides series, authors David Mendel, François Tremblay and Judy Bross provide a fascinating history and exploration of summer resort life in the region. With short, informative texts, captivating stories and anecdotes, the book is illustrated with historic photographs and illustrations, and more than 100 spectacular new photographs by Luc-Antoine Couturier, of summer homes, their gardens, and the magnificent Charlevoix landscape. You are invited to take a vicarious tour of some of these hidden properties that date from the golden era of summer resort life, when prominent Canadian and American visitors, including the President of the United States, William Howard Taft, arrived by steamboat to spend their vacations in the summer homes they built. Discover a remarkable heritage that is very much worth preserving.

Illustrated with exceptional photographs by Luc-Antoine Couturier, the Mendel Guides are a visual feast. Each chapter opens with a large, previously unpublished photograph, followed by informative texts and exclusive images that reveal the past and present appearance of each site and explore specific themes. The author, David Mendel, offers readers an absorbing historical account and fascinating anecdotes. His texts, written in a clear, accessible language, are closely linked with inspiring photographs and illustrations.