Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean

Most visitors to this region are drawn by the magnificent Saguenay Fjord. The fjord forms the lower section of the Saguenay River, which flows from the vast inland sea of Lac St-Jean into the St. Lawrence River. While cruising on anything from a zodiac or a sailboat to a more traditional cruise ship, you may spot a beluga, minke or blue whale that calls these biologically rich waters home. Bordered by cliffs soaring up to 500 meters (1,640 feet), the fjord is up to 275 meters (900 feet) deep in places. Ideal for outdoor adventurers, the region is an intriguing blend of astonishing beauty and industrialized centers, powered by the river’s ...

Most visitors to this region are drawn by the magnificent Saguenay Fjord. The fjord forms the lower section of the Saguenay River, which flows from the vast inland sea of Lac St-Jean into the St. Lawrence River. While cruising on anything from a zodiac or a sailboat to a more traditional cruise ship, you may spot a beluga, minke or blue whale that calls these biologically rich waters home. Bordered by cliffs soaring up to 500 meters (1,640 feet), the fjord is up to 275 meters (900 feet) deep in places. Ideal for outdoor adventurers, the region is an intriguing blend of astonishing beauty and industrialized centers, powered by the river’s massive hydro-electric generating powers. Revitalized Ville de Saguenay – a merger of Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie – offer trendy art galleries, fascinating museums, and excellent restaurants serving the best of regional cuisine. Elsewhere, throughout the region, picture-perfect villages radiate French-Canadian charm.

About the Expert

Joanna Ebbutt is the author or editor of three Insight Guides to Toronto and Canada, and coauthor of Off the Beaten Track: Western Canada. She has been writing about travel for three decades, including chasing the aurora borealis in Northern Ontario.