Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA historic Fairmont resort hotel overlooking the St. Lawrence River in La Malbaie, Quebec.
Last updated August 22, 2026
Overview
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is a historic resort hotel in La Malbaie, Quebec, on a cliff overlooking the St. Lawrence River. It is one of the best-known grand hotels in the Charlevoix region and operates as part of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. The property combines accommodation, dining, meetings, recreation, golf and casino access in a large resort complex approximately 150 kilometres northeast of Quebec City. The hotel traces its origins to 1899, when the first Manoir Richelieu was constructed. That building was destroyed by fire in 1928. A replacement hotel opened in 1929, designed by Canadian architect John Smith Archibald in a Châteauesque style intended to evoke a French castle. The rebuilt structure established the architectural character that remains central to the property's identity: a monumental resort building set against the river and surrounding landscape. The resort's leisure offering expanded substantially during the twentieth century. Its 27-hole golf course was designed by British architect Herbert Strong and opened by United States President William Howard Taft in 1925. The hotel later became associated with the Casino de Charlevoix, which is connected to the property by an underground passage. The casino is operated through a partnership involving Fairmont and the Government of Quebec, and gives the resort an entertainment component beyond conventional lodging and dining. Ownership changed several times. Canada Steamship Lines sold the hotel to Warnock Hersey in 1966. In 1971 it passed to Cleveland developer John B. Dempsey II and a private ownership group. The Quebec provincial government acquired it in 1975, and entrepreneur Raymond Malenfant purchased it in 1985. That transaction was followed by a severe labour dispute involving the hotel's workforce. Malenfant declined to recognize the existing union, arguing that his purchase covered the building rather than the collective agreement. The conflict involved property damage, arrests and the eventual loss of the employees' jobs, and is remembered as one of the most contentious labour disputes in Quebec history. In 1998, Loto-Québec, Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Solidarity Fund QFL partnered to acquire the property. Canadian Pacific Hotels subsequently became part of Fairmont. Fairmont rebranded and reopened the hotel in June 1999 after a reported renovation and expansion program. The modern resort has 405 guest rooms, four restaurants, conference and event facilities, recreational amenities and access to the adjacent casino. Its positioning rests on heritage architecture, scenic location, full-service resort infrastructure and proximity to the cultural and natural attractions of Charlevoix. The property also has a role in Canadian and international public affairs. It served as the principal venue for the 44th G7 summit on June 8–9, 2018, requiring extensive security arrangements for heads of government, delegations and staff. It was again selected as the main venue for the G7 foreign ministers' summit on March 13–14, 2025. These events reinforced the hotel's role as a large-scale conference and diplomatic venue as well as a leisure resort.
History
The first Manoir Richelieu was built in 1899 as a grand hotel serving visitors to the Charlevoix region and the St. Lawrence River. The original building burned in 1928. The hotel was rebuilt the following year in a Châteauesque style by Canadian architect John Smith Archibald, whose design gave the property the appearance of a French castle and established its enduring architectural identity. Recreation became an important part of the resort's development. A 27-hole golf course, designed by British architect Herbert Strong, was opened by United States President William Howard Taft in 1925. Although the course predates the rebuilt hotel, it became part of the wider resort experience associated with Manoir Richelieu. The property's riverfront setting, golf facilities and seasonal leisure amenities helped it function as a destination resort rather than simply an urban hotel. The ownership history reflects successive changes in Canadian hospitality and real estate. Canada Steamship Lines sold the hotel to Warnock Hersey in 1966. In 1971 it was acquired by Cleveland real estate developer John B. Dempsey II, who operated it with a private ownership group. The Quebec government acquired the property in 1975. Raymond Malenfant bought it from the province in 1985, beginning one of the most controversial periods in the hotel's history. Malenfant refused to recognize the union representing approximately 300 to 350 hotel employees, maintaining that he had purchased the physical property rather than the collective agreement. The dispute became violent and highly publicized: two of his cars were burned, workers entered and damaged hotel facilities, and 71 people were arrested. One person died from suffocation while in police custody. After the prolonged conflict, the workers lost their jobs and the union was defeated. The episode is widely regarded as one of the harshest labour confrontations in Quebec's modern history. Malenfant later became bankrupt in the early 1990s after having previously accumulated substantial wealth. In 1998, Loto-Québec joined Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Solidarity Fund QFL in acquiring the Manoir Richelieu. Canadian Pacific Hotels later became part of Fairmont Hotels. After a reported $140 million renovation and expansion, Fairmont rebranded and reopened the hotel in June 1999. The renewed property developed into a large resort with 405 guest rooms, four restaurants, meeting facilities, recreation and links to the Casino de Charlevoix through an underground passage. The hotel has continued to serve both leisure and institutional markets. Its location and scale make it suitable for conferences, official gatherings and high-security international meetings. It hosted the 44th G7 summit on June 8–9, 2018, when the property became the central base for leaders, staff and security operations. It was also the main venue for a G7 foreign ministers' meeting on March 13–14, 2025. These events added diplomatic significance to a property whose primary identity remains that of a historic Quebec resort.
- 2025
Hosts a G7 foreign ministers' summit
[1]The property serves as the main venue for the G7 foreign ministers' meeting on March 13–14.
- 2018
Hosts the 44th G7 summit
[1]The hotel becomes the main venue for the G7 leaders' summit on June 8–9.
- 1999
Fairmont reopens the resort
[1]After renovation and expansion, Fairmont rebrands and reopens the hotel in June.
- 1998
New partnership acquires the property
[1]Loto-Québec, Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Solidarity Fund QFL form a partnership to acquire the hotel.
- 1985
Raymond Malenfant purchases the hotel
[1]Malenfant acquires the property from Quebec, followed by a major labour dispute over union recognition.
- 1975
Quebec government takes ownership
[1]After a period of private ownership, the hotel is acquired by the Government of Quebec.
- 1966
Sold by Canada Steamship Lines
[1]The property changes hands from Canada Steamship Lines to Warnock Hersey.
- 1929
Châteauesque rebuilding is completed
[1]A new hotel designed by John Smith Archibald opens in a French-castle-inspired Châteauesque style.
- 1928
Original building is destroyed by fire
[1]The first hotel burns down, leading to construction of a replacement property.
- 1925
Golf course opens
[1]United States President William Howard Taft opens the resort's 27-hole golf course, designed by Herbert Strong.
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Products and positioning
A heritage luxury resort combining grand-hotel architecture, St. Lawrence River scenery, leisure facilities, events and access to casino entertainment in Quebec's Charlevoix region.
Hotel accommodation
Guest rooms and suites
The resort provides approximately 405 guest rooms in a historic château-style building overlooking the St. Lawrence River. Accommodation is the foundation of the property and supports both seasonal leisure stays and large official or conference gatherings.
Hospitality and dining
Restaurants
The hotel operates four restaurants, forming a core part of its full-service resort proposition. Dining supports overnight guests, destination visitors, meetings and ceremonial or institutional events held at the property.
Golf and recreation · 1925
27-hole golf course
The resort's 27-hole golf course was designed by British architect Herbert Strong and opened by William Howard Taft in 1925. It extends the hotel's offer beyond accommodation and contributes to its identity as a destination resort.
Conference hospitality
Meetings and events
The property includes conference and event facilities suitable for business meetings, large gatherings, diplomatic events and high-security international summits. Its scale and resort setting supported the 2018 G7 leaders' summit and the 2025 G7 foreign ministers' meeting.
Entertainment partnership
Casino de Charlevoix access
Casino de Charlevoix adjoins the hotel and is accessible through an underground passage. The casino is associated with Fairmont and the Government of Quebec, adding gaming and entertainment to the resort complex.
Controversies
1985
Malenfant-era labour dispute
After Raymond Malenfant purchased the hotel, he refused to recognize the union representing roughly 300–350 employees. The dispute involved burned vehicles, an incursion that damaged hotel facilities, 71 arrests and a death in police custody. The workers ultimately lost their jobs and the union was crushed. The conflict is regarded as one of Quebec's most severe labour disputes.
Brand decisions
2025
Selection as G7 foreign ministers' summit venueOtherBackground
The resort's conference capacity and secure setting made it suitable for another high-level international gathering.
Action taken
The hotel served as the main venue for a G7 foreign ministers' summit on March 13–14, 2025.
Aftermath
The meeting further established the property as a venue for diplomatic and governmental events in addition to leisure tourism.
2018
Selection as G7 leaders' summit venueOtherBackground
The hotel offered the scale, infrastructure and controlled setting required for a major international summit.
Action taken
The property served as the principal venue for the 44th G7 summit on June 8–9, 2018.
Aftermath
The event brought extensive security, diplomatic and logistical activity to the hotel and surrounding area.
1999
Major renovation and resort repositioningStrategyBackground
The new ownership group sought to restore and strengthen the historic property as a large-scale destination resort.
Action taken
Fairmont completed a reported renovation and expansion program before reopening the hotel under its brand in June 1999.
Aftermath
The resort operated with 405 rooms, four restaurants, conference facilities, golf and access to the adjacent casino.
Renovation and expansion cost. CAD 140 million (1998–1999 reported program)
1998
Partnership acquisition and Fairmont transitionM&ABackground
The hotel required a new ownership and operating structure after years of ownership changes and the consequences of the 1980s labour conflict.
Action taken
Loto-Québec, Canadian Pacific Hotels and the Solidarity Fund QFL partnered to acquire the property. Canadian Pacific Hotels subsequently became part of Fairmont Hotels.
Aftermath
Fairmont renovated, expanded, rebranded and reopened the hotel in June 1999, establishing its modern operating identity.
Recent events
- 2025
G7 foreign ministers meet at Manoir Richelieu[1]
Other
The hotel was selected as the main venue for a G7 foreign ministers' summit held on March 13–14, 2025.
- 2018
Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu hosts the 44th G7 summit[1]
Other
The hotel served as the principal venue for the G7 leaders' summit held on June 8–9, 2018, with extensive security and logistical arrangements for national leaders and their delegations.
- 1999
Fairmont reopens Manoir Richelieu after redevelopment[1]
M&A · Product launch
Following a major renovation and expansion, Fairmont rebranded and reopened the property in June 1999.
Sources1 sources
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