Who has never dreamed of flying, of spreading their wings? Of gliding over water, land, and trees by reaching for the sky? With The Mechanical Bird, a sound and light immersion at Le Massif de Charlevoix, in Quebec, come defy gravity, a flight for the whole family. Discover our illuminated night course, an unusual activity that will transport you to a magical world where the boundaries between dream and reality blur.
Fly between sky, land and sea.
Take a seat aboard Le Massif de Charlevoix’s chairlifts
An animated carousel ride on Le Massif’s chairlifts that offers a luminous, sensory and emotional experience with passengers flying over the mountain for nearly 4 km under the moonlit sky. A unique way to admire the splendours of the landscape, between sky, land and sea.
Discover the night course
Combine dinner and a night flight
Camp Boule Buvette de montagne Restaurant
The best view on the mountain! Gourmet 3-course menu by chef David Forbes, including appetizer (2 choices), main course (3 choices) and dessert (2 choices). Other meal options, wine, cocktails and beverages are available for purchase on site.
This summer, discover the mountain of Le Massif de Charlevoix as you've never seen it before.
Book your lodging on the mountain
The creative team
YVES AUCOIN
Co-creator and lighting designer with over 35 years of global experience, Yves Aucoin founded the visual design company 4U2C in 2013. He has crafted the lighting for major international ceremonies and contributed to the lighting design of Cirque du Soleil's Love. For decades, he has been Céline Dion's trusted lighting designer and creative partner.
STÉPHANE MONGEAU
Co-creator and executive producer, Stéphane Mongeau has served as vice president of production and executive producer for several Cirque du Soleil shows, as well has overseeing experiences based on the Netflix TV series, Stranger Things and Bridgerton. Co-founder of 4U2C, he has also served as CEO of Lune Rouge Entertainment.
OLIVIER KEMEID
Co-creator and playwright, Olivier Kemeid has directed Espace Libre and the Théâtre de Quat’Sous, and has written and directed over twenty theatre productions. He has also engaged in numerous artistic collaborations, including with Robert Lepage on the Riopelle Project.
MARTIN LABRECQUE
Co-creator and lighting designer, Martin Labrecque has designed lighting for ten Cirque du Soleil shows and has illuminated theatre stages in Montreal for 30 years, contributing to the creation of iconic Quebecois theatrical productions.
Local artisans
Atelier Occhio has collaborated with accomplished composer Philippe Brault, who composed the music for the nighttime experience, Jacques Boucher for sound design, Mariko Samejima for scenography, Félix Fradet Faguy for video design, Marie-Laurence Moreau for voice narration, Robert Lemoine for production direction, Félix Leamy-Boisvert for technical direction, Catherine Larouche for technical supervision, and Daniel Gélinas as the executive producer.
This large-scale production is made possible by Le Massif de Charlevoix, Tourism Québec, Tourisme Charlevoix, Le Secrétariat à la Capitale-Nationale and Destination Québec Cité.
Questions & Answers
Why was the name "L'Oiseau mécanique" chosen?
L'Oiseau mécanique is a metaphor expressing the experience proposed at Le Massif, which is a flight over the forest between sky, land and sea aboard a gondola and a chairlift, like a carousel on the mountainside.
What is the distance of the course?
A circular route of nearly 5 km like a merry-go-round on the side of the mountain, including 4 km aboard a gondola and a chairlift.
How long does the activity last?
It's a 60-70 minutes tour including the gondola descent, the walk at the base of the mountain, and the chairlift ascent. The distance to walk at the base between the chairlifts is 350 meters.
Can children enjoy the experience?
Children can indeed live the experience. We recommend that you bring a baby carrier, as strollers are not allowed. Adult supervision is required for children under 135 cm. The experience consists of a gondola descent, a chairlift ascent and a short hike on trail (350 metres). It is therefore up to the parents to assess the level of comfort and skill of their child.
Good to know: performances are free for children aged 6 and under, and there are special rates for children and teenagers, making this an ideal family outing.
Does the activity require physical fitness?
The activity is recommended for people with the ability to walk short distances on marked, low-impact trails including uphill sections. We suggest wearing comfortable shoes for trail walking. The activity is not recommended for people using crutches, a cane or a wheelchair.
Is the experience recommended for everyone?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to transport a wheelchair through the course as the evacuation trails are not suitable for people with reduced mobility. The Mechanical Bird course has a walking section on uneven terrain, making it unsuitable for individuals who rely on crutches, a cane, a wheelchair or have knee problems. Strollers are not permitted.
Since this show is a performance in light and music, and because of the sound peaks, the use of strobes and the possibility of reduced visibility caused by fog, for example, the Mechanical Bird may not be suitable for individual who are blind, have a sensory hypersensitivity, are on the autism spectrum or experience dizziness.
What time does the activity start?
The activity starts at different times depending on the time of sunset during the summer season.
- From 9:00 p.m. on June 21st to July 24th, 2024
- From 8:30 p.m. on July 31st to September 2nd, 2024
Do I have to book tickets in advance?
Yes, in order to ensure that you have a seat on the evening, you can buy your tickets in advance on the online store. Please note that no tickets will be sold on site.
Does the activity only take place in the evening?
Yes, tickets must be booked online in advance. No tickets are sold on-site.
Should I bring anything?
We recommend that you dress warmly and put on the right footwear, such as hiking boots, in anticipation of the prevailing weather. Evenings can be chilly in the mountains even in the middle of summer. In case you forget, it is possible to buy clothes (raincoat, warm sweater, hat) at the summit. We also suggest that you bring a bottle of water that you can refill at our water points on the circuit. Meals, hot and cold beverages are also available at our service points. Don't forget comfortable shoes for the walk.
How many people can board a chairlift?
Four people are admitted per chairlift. Le Massif reserves the right to fill chairlift spaces according to the number of passengers.
What is the minimum height to board a chairlift?
The minimum height to board a chairlift without adult supervision is 135 cm. Children under 135 cm must be accompanied by an adult, a rule that applies at all times, both in summer and winter, in our chairlifts.
How far in advance do I have to arrive at the activity if the departure time is fixed?
It is suggested that you arrive 30 minutes before the start time of the performance to use the restroom, get a drink and head to the starting point.
In case of low traffic, can operations end earlier?
No, the sale of tickets is done according to predefined performance times. Last slots are added according to the occupancy.
If it rains, is the activity cancelled?
The show can be cancelled only in the event of thunderstorms or heavy rain, without prior notice, as weather conditions may change suddenly. The activity is not affected by reduced visibility due to weather conditions. In case of cancellation, guests will be contacted directly by email. The announcement will also be communicated on our Instagram page (@lemassif).
Does the activity start at the top or at the bottom?
We suggest starting at the summit to fully appreciate the course, but access from the base is also possible.
Are all departures at fixed times?
Tickets are valid for fixed departure times. There is no imposed end time, so it is possible to stay on-site until the end of the performances.
Are the base and summit chalet open during the activity?
Yes, the summit chalet and base chalets are rest and refreshment points, where you can find restrooms. Dinner-show packages are offered at Camp Boule buvette de montagne restaurant and at the summit chalet.
Do we have access to the toilets in the chalets or in the middle of the course?
Restrooms are available at both the summit and base chalets. Approximately 15 minutes separate the two chalets, and there are no other restroom facilities available along the course.
Is the trail associated with the experience marked/identified?
Yes, the trail is marked out, equiped with lighting and artistic effects.
Is the activity bilingual? Are there headphones?
A segment of the course includes bilingual narration. The Mechanical Bird does not require headphones.
I can't make it, how can I cancel my reservation?
Please review your ticket date and time carefully before submitting and confirming your order as tickets are non-refundable. Date change requests are subject to availability and must be made at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled time for a $7.50 administrative fee. Please contact us at info@levoldeloiseaumecanique.com.
No refund will be allowed if you arrive after the last departure time.
Is it allowed to take pictures or videos?
All cameras, tape recorders and video recording devices (including those embedded in cell phones or other portable devices) and their use are permitted on-site, for non-commercial purposes only. For commercial requests, please contact our team at communication@lemassif.com.
Is it possible to participate with my dog?
Although Le Massif accepts dogs on a leash during the day on its hiking trails and gondola, no pets are allowed on the Mechanical Bird course. Although, officially recognized assistance or guide dogs are accepted. Proof of certification will be requested. They must be able to take the chairlift. Please contact us before booking at info@oiseaumecanique.com.
Is it possible to walk from Camp Boule buvette de montagne to the nighttime activity?
While it is feasible to cover the distance on foot, there is approximately a 3 km distance between the restaurant and the entrance of the Mechanical Bird course. We recommend using your car to commute between the two locations.
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It's not every day that you get aboard a carousel on a mountainside. The Mechanical Bird is a unique experience that will take you on an unforgettable journey through the mountain. Here are 4 tips to fully appreciate your first experience.