3 / 5 - 3 reviews
How to get there
Two and a half hours from Quebec by car
When to go
From June to September
Minimum stay
One day
Saguenay (Canada)
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Mylène Wei
Practical information on Saguenay
Reviews of Saguenay
The city of Saguenay is divided into the boroughs of Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie and benefits from an ideal location surrounded by rivers, lakes and mountains. Chicoutimi, with a population of 60,000, is the city's liveliest borough in summer.
My suggestion:
Whether it's at Saguenay Fjord National Park or the area around Lake Saint-Jean, the city of Saguenay is surrounded by the kind of magnificent scenery that really has to be seen and experienced for yourself.
My review
We stopped off to visit Chicoutimi before heading on to Lake Saint-Jean during our trip to Canada.
I especially enjoyed the atmosphere in Chicoutimi: one of the cosmopolitan festivals held there during the summer was taking place when we visited, namely the Festival International des Rythmes du Monde (International Rhythms of the World Festival). With dancers from various countries – Africa, Cuba, Eastern Europe, etc. – enlivening the city with their energy and colourful costumes, there really was something for everyone, and the dance shows were truly impressive.
In summer there is a plethora of activities to enjoy at Parc de la Rivière-du-Moulin, such as canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes and hiking. We went for a walk along the Sentiers des Moulins trail and picnicked by the Chute des Sables waterfall.
We also got to admire the beautiful panoramic views from the Croix de Sainte-Anne (Saint Anne's Cross), a monument located on a hill overlooking Chicoutimi-Nord.
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Mylène Wei
Saguenay's blueberries, the singsong accent of the region's inhabitants, the fjord and the Little White House are the principal attractions of this town in French Canada.
My suggestion:
For 60 years the Trappist monks have been producing a traditional delicacy of the region. Chocolate covered blueberries. They are sold nearly everywhere in the region and finance the monks' activities.
My review
Not long ago Saguenay was still called Chicoutimi. Several towns joined together which caused the confusion. There are about 68,000 inhabitants, but it is also the home of the University of Quebec at Chicoutimi.
A river crosses the town. It was this river which broke its banks in an unprecedented way during the Saguenay floods of 1996. The Little White House, as it has been called, became famous in Chicoutimi because during the 4 days of the tragedy, it stood tall. This century old house resisted the water which had destroyed everything in its passage. Lots of houses were carried away by the torrent and others were severely damaged. Miraculously, the LWH survived the catastrophe. Today it has been transformed into a museum which welcomes visitors from all over. The buildings which existed around it have never been rebuilt and the area has been turned into a park for the visitors.
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Flickr cc Sandra Cohen and Cohen Rose
The river of Saguenay rises in Lake Saint-Jean and then flows into the Saint Laurent river 160 kilometres down stream. It's unmissable during your trip to Canada!
My suggestion:
If you have the time take a complete tour of the fjord, rather than just going directly from Baie Sainte Catherine to Tadoussac. The villages along the two river banks are really worth visiting.
My review
I gave myself 3 to 4 days to explore the fjord and the region of Saguenay. I hitchhiked there from Baie Saint Paul, and the road with its lakes and forests was magnificent.
I decided to base myself in Anse Saint Jean on the south bank. The village looked very pretty, it was ideally situated for visiting the region and I had found a lovely hostel there, a bit out of the village centre and right in the middle of nature - lovely!
I did a few walks (always terrified that I would find myself face to face with a bear!) in Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park. I climbed Anse-de-Tabatière, from where you have a great view over the fjord - when I was there it was raining, but I suppose that it's much better when the sun is shining!
Then I continued my tour of the fjord passing by Ha Ha Bay! (honestly!), then the pretty village of Sainte Rose du Nord, Sacré Coeur (for Sainte Marguerite bay where I hoped to see some beluga whales, without success) and finally arrived at Tadoussac. It was a beautiful road....
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stéphanie charbit
164 travelers' photos
