Plage de Cap-aux-Oies

Cap-aux-Oies is on the north shore of the St. Lawrence in Charlevoix, near the boundary between Les Éboulements and Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, below the road and the railway that run along the river. This is not a groomed sand beach. The shore is small stones, pebbles, rocky points, driftwood and seaweed, with only a few patches of sand. At low tide a wide strip of shore opens up and you can walk a long way. The river water is very cold, and the rocky bottom puts most people off swimming. Visitors come to walk, sit and watch wildlife. Seals and belugas, including mothers with calves, have been seen offshore, along with cormorants, common eiders and sometimes king eiders. Nude use here is unofficial and occasional. On most days the beach is fully clothed, and the few naturists who come keep to the quieter sections away from the stairs. A 2026 MTL Blog article lists Cap-aux-Oies as one of the five best-known unofficial naturist spots in Quebec. The usual crowd is small and quiet: locals, couples, birdwatchers, photographers, dog walkers and people touring Charlevoix. Early morning and late afternoon are the calmest times.