What to Visit in the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Region, Quebéc

Quebéc is the second most populated province in Canada. We truly enjoyed our visit to this welcoming province – from its beautiful landscapes, European heritage, and stunning architecture, to its great hospitality and famous, ever-present “joie de vivre”. One of the regions we visited is the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Region. Today’s post is the highlights from our travels.

The Saguenay Fjord National Park, Sacré-Coeur

Saguenay Fjord is a beautiful landmark of the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Region that we visited on the third day of our trip to Quebéc. You will find that the Saguenay Fjord National Park in Sacré-Coeur stretches along the shores of the fjord. This marine park leads into the heart of North America and a magnificent fjord, the longest in Eastern Canada.

The majestic fjord is open year-round and it is divided into three vast sectors: Baie-Éternité, Tadoussac, and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite..

Tadoussac Bay

Tadoussac Bay is the only area of the fjord that we had time to visit on this trip and it is the gateway to the Côte-Nord region and one of the most beautiful bays in the world. Located at the confluence of the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean and Charlevoix, this bay is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. So, make sure you get there as early as possible.

Don’t miss the Tadoussac village. This picturesque village is a member of the Association of the most beautiful villages of Quebéc. It really is so cute!!!

If you have time, take a 1 km long sidewalk of Tadoussac Bay and on Pointe de l’Islet trail, and you will enjoy the extraordinary view of the mouth of the Saguenay Fjord. We did this one evening after dinner.

You can watch my trip vlog below or on YouTube for higher quality.

A very special thanks to Ross Radcliffe for joining me on this trip…and for the photos and video, too.

Imago Village

Imago Village in the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean region has dreamy rustic yurts are nestled in the remarkable surroundings at the national park. This was our first ever stay in a yurt and we both loved it. The yurts have a bubble window at the top, right under the bed, so you essentially are sleeping under the stars but keeping cozy warm in the yurt. The Monts-Valin National Park is only a quick 30-minute drive from the yurt …which makes it easy to head out for a hike.

Baie-Éternité

Baie-Éternité is nestled in high cliffs, offering a breathtaking view of the whole region. Here you can enjoy plenty of outdoor activities on land, in the air, and at sea, from hiking to sea cruises.

Baie-Sainte-Marguerite

If you want to see belugas, you should head to Baie-Sainte-Marguerite. This site in the Saguenay Fjord National Park is rich in the history, natural beauty, and outdoor adventures. It is also a fabulous location for observing belugas of the St Lawrence River. I have heard they are absolutely lovely to see!

You might also like Outaouais Region – Québec Road Trip, My Trip to Quebec, or A Few Days in Banff & Lake Louise.

Monts-Valin National Park

Monts-Valin National Park is located on Mount Valin, the highest point in the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Region and as such dominates the landscape. At 984 meters high Monts-Valin National Park is also a great hiking location.

After arriving at the park’s Discovery Center, we met with the guide that had been pre-arranged and received lunch boxes provided for the day. You can spend the whole day at the Monts-Valin National Park hiking to the highest peaks of the area and enjoy a range of spectacular views and amazing wildlife. We visited in late September, just as autumn was bringing new colours. At this time of the year, when the region explodes in a cornucopia of fall colors, hiking is simply a must-do in Monts-Valin National Park. You can also go canoeing or fishing in one of the park’s many rivers and lakes.

Other interesting sites in Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean Region that I would love to stop at next trip include Musee du Cheddar (the Museum of Cheddar Cheese), Air Defense Museum, and Village Historique de Val-Jalbert.

Also, if I ever visit in December a must-see for me would include Village de Creches, which is a unique exhibition of nativity scenes of different sizes, built out of wood, plastic, and metal. They are created by local artists and are a great roadside attraction.

Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean

Thanks for following along with my travels, and exploring Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean with me!

This Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean post has been sponsored by Tourisme Quebec and Merrell. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support me.