La Malbaie is an old Charlevoix resort town spread along the St. Lawrence and the lower Malbaie River. It has been receiving summer visitors for centuries, but its best side is still the landscape: river light, steep hills, Cap-à-l'Aigle gardens, and the strange geology of the Charlevoix impact crater.
The town is broad rather than dense, so a good day needs a little planning. Pair the Musée de Charlevoix with a walk near Pointe-au-Pic, book ahead for Jardins de Quatre-Vents if the rare public dates line up, or head inland to the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie.
La Malbaie is not just a place to sleep between Québec City and Tadoussac. It is one of the better bases for understanding Charlevoix, with enough culture, scenery, and odd local history to fill a spare day well.