Making Horizons History: Saguenay – Lac St. Jean Region Travel Guide

“At the end of the Fjord, A Kingdom”

Welcome to the Saguenay Region. Beyond the fjords, a kingdom. The legend of treasure and an advanced culture that were up the Saguenay River drove European explorers like Champlain to this area. There is treasure and it may just be the scenic environment in the area as you traverse by foot, bike, car, helicopter or boat.

Find your next adventure here!

Directions to Saguenay

Saguenay is located two hours north of Quebec City. If you are flying into Montreal, it is a 4 hour drive and 6 hours from Ottawa. Saguenay is located 10 hours from both Toronto and New York City.

Map of Saguenay Quebec (2 hours north of Quebec City)

Where to Stay

The brand-new renovated Delta Hotels by Mariott hotel is just off the A-70 at 2675 Royaume Blvd, Jonquiere. This was a convenient stay and located about 40 minutes from Lac St. Jean and about an hour from Saguenay Fjords National Park.

Outdoor Activities

Saguenay Fjords National Park

In the Saguenay Fjords National Park which is located on both sides of the Saguenay River there are plenty of hikes for each skill level. The fjords have an average depth of 210 metres and the deepest point is 270 metres. The cliffs facing the Saguenay River range from 150 metres to a max height of 350 metres. What is unique about this waterway is the mixture of both fresh water and salt water on Saguenay River.

The park is divided into 3 areas; Baie-Sainte-Marguerite, Baie-Eternite and Baie du Moulin-a-Baude.

There are over 100 kms of hiking trails throughout the park. Challenge yourself by backpacking through the park and stay at campsites or cabins.

The most popular hike being the Notre-Dame-due Saguenay Statue in the Baie-Eternite sector. This 7.4 km hike ends at a viewpoint of the fjords where there is a 9-metre-high statue weighing 3 tonnes. For those feeling more adventurous try the Via Ferrata. Cling to the rock walls of the Baie-Eternite cliffs, it will certainly give you a good view.

The Baie-Sainte-Marguerite section is near the town of Tadoussac. Baie-Sainte Marguerite has an interpretive center on the sea life that thrive in that sector of the park. There are plenty of trails to get a view of the river and maybe spot a beluga whale!

In the whale watching capital of North America – Tadoussac – you can visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation center or go back in time and visit the Chauvin Trading Post. For an adventure book a tour with one of the whale-watching tour boats. You even might be able to spot a whale surfacing from shore.

There are a few ways to experience the Saguenay fjords. Try a bird’s eye view of the Fjords on a helicopter tour. Companies like Heli-Charlevoix offer tours from 20-minutes to 300-minute tours.

You can also see the Saguenay Fjords up-close, try a sea-kayaking excursions are offered from 2–7 hour tours. For those wanting some more comfort try the bateau-mouche a cruise that offers 180^o view. Other activities involve biking, fishing, kayak camping and backcountry skiing. Whatever your interests are this park will give you an adventure to remember.

Lac St. Jean

40 minutes north of the Chicoutimi is Lac St.-Jean. The lake has a surface area of 1,053 km². Home to many quaint communities and villages whether you’re looking to spend a day on the water or exploring the roads.

Beaches

If you’re looking for a relaxing beach day, there are a few options in the Lac St. Jean area.

Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon has a 15-kilometer beach. The park offers many activities such as cycling and hiking along the 45kms of trails, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards for rent.

Towns in the Saguenay Fjords Region:

Saguenay

The city of Saguenay was founded in 1676, today the population is over 148,000. Here in Saguenay you can find the pulp museum which tells the story of the Old Pulp Mill. At one point it was the largest producer of mechanical pulp in the world.

If you’re visiting Saguenay in winter, experience the landscape on the many ski and snowboard slopes in the region. Some of the more popular resorts include Mont Lac-Vert & Valinouet. Go back in time with the authentic village of Val Jalbert. Experience what life would be like in the early days of European settlement in the Saguenay region.

Jonquiere

Jonquiere is north of Saguenay and was founded in 1847. Jonquiere was a center for employment in the 20^th century as the worlds largest aluminum plant was located here. As a result, a hydroelectric station was built across the river to supply power to the plant. At the time this was the largest hydroelectric plant in the world.

Alma

Alma, Quebec is close to the shore of Lac St. Jean. This area is fertile farming region in the Saguenay Graben which is a depression the Canadian shield. Here in Alma, you can embark on a multi-day cycling tour of the Lac St. Jean villages. The cycling route is 435 kilometer circuit connecting the Veloroute du Fjord Du Saguenay to the Veloroute des Bleuets.

Dolbeau-Mitassini (East side of Lac St. Jean)

This town is located near the popular Pointe Taillon National Park where there are many beaches and campsites along the lake.

Saint-Felicien

In this part of the Lac St. Jean region visit the many fromageries throughout the valley. Here you can learn the process of the dairy farming that is a major industry in Quebec.

Museums in Saguenay Region

There are several museums in Saguenay if you want to learn about the background of the region.

Located in the town of La Baie is the Air Defence Museum. With the largest fighter jet base in Eastern Canada there is a lot to learn about the military history of the region.

Museum of the Fjords is in La Baie. This interactive museum explores the geological and cultural history of the region and is geared towards a younger crowd.

The Pulp Museum in Chicoutimi explores the economic activity from the early history to the present day. As a resource rich region, the economics of the Chicoutimi Pulp Company led this company to be the largest producer of mechanical wood pulp in the world.

Food

One of the more popular restaurants in the region include Le Bergerac which has sourced some local products from the region. La Parizza specializes in Italian cuisine and offers a variety of pizzas.

While in the area there are some great roadside kiosks selling locally sourced fruit and vegetables. This is grown in the warm climate due to the location of the Saguenay Graben.

Conclusion

Saguenay is a beautiful region in Canada that is inviting you to explore the outdoors in whatever way you would like. Just as the European explorers made their way up the fjords and witnessed the dramatic landscapes of the Canadian province of Quebec, you can travel to a region that will offer incredible experiences.

William Coverdale describes the region well in his book Tadoussac Then and Now, a History and Narrative of the Kingdom of Saguenay. “The strange and moving scenes of the days of Cartier and Champlain are no more; but the scent of balsam and spruce yet mingles with the soft sea breeze to bring serenity and joy; and Tadoussac still holds the magic lure which for more than four centuries has drawn its summer devotees to the kingdom of the Saguenay.”

Start planning your adventure today in the Saguenay Region!