Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
What to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
An inland sea rimmed with sandy beaches, a fjord cut all the way to the St. Lawrence, and a 256 km cycling route that circles the lake. Discover the region season by season — and the cottage, right at the water's edge, to make your base.
A lake the size of a sea, a fjord reaching the river
The region is built around two giants of water. On one side, Lac Saint-Jean: wide enough to be called an inland sea, edged with sandy beaches and shallows that warm quickly in summer. On the other, the Saguenay Fjord, a sheer-walled cut running down to the St. Lawrence, where the belugas swim.
Between them: a 256 km cycling route circling the lake through fifteen municipalities and the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh, a 1920s ghost town opened to visitors, two national parks and a zoo devoted to boreal wildlife. Our cottages are at Saint-Félicien, on the west shore of the lake, and at Lac-Kénogami, on the Saguenay side.
COTTAGES TO RENT IN SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN
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Cottages in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: explore by experience
HOLIDAYS IN SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN
Who is the region for, and when should you go?
A summer region above all — beaches, cycling, cruises — that turns into snowmobile country in winter. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday at Lac-Saint-Jean: shallow-water beaches, the Zoo sauvage and the Val-Jalbert historic village.
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As a couple
The fjord, its lookouts and its cruises — and a waterfront cottage to end the day.
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Cyclists
The Véloroute des Bleuets runs 256 km around the lake: from an hour's ride to the full loop over four days.
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Snowmobilers
The region is a major trail junction; one of our cottages sits 500 metres from them.
When to visit Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
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Spring
The lake thawing, the migrating birds and the first rides of the year.
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Summer
Sandy beaches, freshwater swimming, cycling and cruises on the fjord.
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Fall
Colour over the fjord, and the tail end of blueberry season.
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Winter
Snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing.
WHAT TO DO IN SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN
What to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: activities by season
Things to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien Boreal and northern wildlife in enclosures that recreate natural habitats; open year-round.
- Val-Jalbert Historic Village A 1920s company town turned open-air museum, with a cable car.
- The beaches of Pointe-Taillon National Park Long sandy beaches and fresh water that warms up quickly (Sépaq).
- Musée amérindien de Mashteuiatsh The history and culture of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation, on the lakeshore.
- A stretch of the Véloroute des Bleuets The trail runs through fifteen municipalities — best taken in sections with children.
- A fjord cruise, or a lookout above it The Saguenay Fjord seen from above, or from the water (Sépaq).
In summer
- Cycling around the lake 256 km of the Véloroute des Bleuets, as a full loop or in sections.
- Cycling at Pointe-Taillon 45 km of trail on the peninsula, 16 km of it linked to the Véloroute.
- Swimming and kayaking on Lac Saint-Jean A warm inland sea, straight from the cottage beach.
- Hiking in Saguenay Fjord National Park The ridge trails above Baie-Éternité and the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue.
- Beluga watching The fjord and its mouth are home to the St. Lawrence belugas.
- The glass lookout at Val-Jalbert A platform suspended above the Ouiatchouan Falls.
In winter
- Snowmobiling One of Québec's great snowmobiling destinations, with trails reachable from the cottage.
- Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing — Pointe-Taillon Along the frozen lakeshore, with cabins heated by wood stove (Sépaq).
- Snowshoeing & backcountry skiing — Saguenay Fjord The fjord under snow, on marked trails or on a guided trip (Sépaq).
- Ice fishing A tradition still very much alive on the lakes and the fjord.
- The Zoo sauvage in winter Boreal species are often livelier in the cold.
- An evening at the cottage A fireplace, a long table and a frozen lake outside the window.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN
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Our cottages to rent in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
Three cottages right on the water: two at Saint-Félicien, on the west shore of Lac Saint-Jean, and one at Lac-Kénogami, on the Saguenay side. Details come straight from our listings — click through for availability and rates.
ITINERARY
A weekend in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — Saint-Félicien and the west shore
The Zoo sauvage in the morning, then the Musée amérindien de Mashteuiatsh, and the end of the day on the cottage beach.
Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien ↗ -
Day 2 — Val-Jalbert and around the lake
The historic village, its cable car and its glass lookout above the Ouiatchouan Falls — then a stretch of the Véloroute des Bleuets.
Val-Jalbert Historic Village ↗ -
Day 3 — The Saguenay Fjord
Head east: the walls of Baie-Éternité, the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue and, if the season allows, beluga watching.
Sépaq — Saguenay Fjord ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN SAGUENAY–LAC-SAINT-JEAN
The essential sights of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
Places we have checked, and that keep their appeal year after year. Each card links to the official source so you can plan your visit.
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SAINT-FÉLICIEN
The Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien
zoosauvage.orgA zoo devoted to boreal and northern wildlife, laid out in zones that recreate natural habitats — from Arctic tundra to Laurentian forest. Open year-round.
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CHAMBORD
Val-Jalbert Historic Village
valjalbert.comA 1920s company town turned open-air museum: more than 40 buildings, a cable car and a glass lookout suspended above the Ouiatchouan Falls, which stand 72 m tall — 20 more than Niagara.
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AROUND LAC SAINT-JEAN
The Véloroute des Bleuets
veloroutedesbleuets.com256 km of trail circling Lac Saint-Jean, through fifteen municipalities and the Ilnu community of Mashteuiatsh. Ride it as a multi-day loop or in sections.
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SÉPAQ · LAKE PENINSULA
Pointe-Taillon National Park
sepaq.comA peninsula of long sandy beaches and fresh water that warms quickly, with 45 km of cycling trail, 16 km of it linked to the Véloroute. Heated cabins open in winter.
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SÉPAQ · RIVIÈRE-ÉTERNITÉ
Saguenay Fjord National Park
sepaq.comThree sectors — Baie-Éternité, Baie-Sainte-Marguerite and Baie-de-Tadoussac — with ridge trails above the fjord, the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue and the St. Lawrence belugas.
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MASHTEUIATSH
The Musée amérindien de Mashteuiatsh
cultureilnu.caOn the lakeshore, the museum of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh First Nation: collections of objects, archives and archaeology, with interactive displays on Ilnu language, culture and history.
From Lac Saint-Jean to the fjord: 6 stops
The region runs west to east: first around the lake, then along the Saguenay River as it becomes a fjord on its way to the St. Lawrence. Here are the six stops that shape a stay.
Saint-Félicien — the Zoo sauvage and the west shore of the lake: both our Lac-Saint-Jean cottages are here.
Mashteuiatsh — the Ilnu community and its museum, on the lakeshore.
Chambord & Val-Jalbert — the historic village and the Ouiatchouan Falls.
Pointe-Taillon & Péribonka — the great beaches and the cycling, north of the lake.
Lac-Kénogami & Jonquière — the lakes and the city: our Saguenay cottage is here.
The fjord — Rivière-Éternité, Baie-Sainte-Marguerite and the descent towards the river.
FAQ
Holidays in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: common questions
Where is Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean?
It is Québec's administrative region 02, north of Québec City. It is built around two poles: Lac Saint-Jean, an inland sea edged with sandy beaches, and the Saguenay Fjord, which links the lake to the St. Lawrence.
When should you visit Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean?
All year round. Summer for the beaches of Lac Saint-Jean, the Véloroute des Bleuets and the fjord; fall for the colours and the end of blueberry season; winter for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing; spring for the thaw and the migrating birds.
What is there to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean in winter?
Snowmobiling, which the region is known for; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in Pointe-Taillon National Park and Saguenay Fjord National Park; ice fishing; and a visit to the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, open year-round.
What is there to do in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean with family?
The Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien and its boreal wildlife, the Val-Jalbert historic village with its cable car and 72-metre falls, the beaches of Pointe-Taillon National Park, a stretch of the Véloroute des Bleuets, and the Musée amérindien de Mashteuiatsh.
Can you rent a cottage in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean with Chalets Confort?
Yes. Chalets Confort has three cottages in the region: Les Quatre Vents and Le Betula at Saint-Félicien, both with a private beach on the west shore of Lac Saint-Jean, and La Maison du Lac at Lac-Kénogami, with a private dock, on the Saguenay side. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean?
Book your cottage and make it your base for the region. A real team is with you, before and during your stay.
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