Tadoussac

Backdropped by lovely rounded hills, Tadoussac sits on the north bank of the Saguenay River where it flows into the St. Lawrence, offering a superb base for whale-watching cruises and explorations up the Saguenay. Rich in krill, the cold waters attract several whale species, in particular the beluga. Basque whalers were the first Europeans to discover the area and later, a fur trading post was built. Having celebrated its 400th birthday in 2000, Tadoussac is said to be the oldest village in Canada. Today its oldest building is an old wooden chapel built in 1747. Stunning views over Tadoussac Bay have earned it a spot in The Most Beautiful ...

Backdropped by lovely rounded hills, Tadoussac sits on the north bank of the Saguenay River where it flows into the St. Lawrence, offering a superb base for whale-watching cruises and explorations up the Saguenay. Rich in krill, the cold waters attract several whale species, in particular the beluga. Basque whalers were the first Europeans to discover the area and later, a fur trading post was built. Having celebrated its 400th birthday in 2000, Tadoussac is said to be the oldest village in Canada. Today its oldest building is an old wooden chapel built in 1747. Stunning views over Tadoussac Bay have earned it a spot in The Most Beautiful Bays in the World Club (www.world-bays.com), one of only two in Canada. Long favored by vacationers, Hotel Tadoussac is the town’s oldest and most prominent hotel, famously used as a backdrop for the filming of the movie Hotel New Hampshire. Connected by a frequent (and free) ferry to Baie-Ste-Catherine, Tadoussac attracts countless artists and outdoors lovers, with eco-tourism opportunities in abundance.

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.