Saguenay
What to do in Saguenay
A 105 km gash in the rock, cliffs 300 metres high, belugas, and mountains covered in snow ghosts. Saguenay is the fjord — and the city that grew along its banks. Discover it season by season, and the cottage to make your base.
Saguenay or Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean? The difference, plainly
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is Québec's administrative region 02. It splits into two quite distinct halves: Lac-Saint-Jean in the west, around the inland sea and the Véloroute des Bleuets, and Saguenay in the east — the half this page covers. The word "Saguenay" in fact means three things at once: the river, the fjord, and the city of Saguenay, created in 2002 by merging Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie. See the whole region →
Here, everything turns on the salt water pushing inland. The fjord runs 105 km from Saint-Fulgence to Tadoussac, between cliffs reaching 300 m, with tides of four to six metres and a maximum depth of 275 m. Its waters hold sixteen marine species typical of the Arctic. To the north, Monts-Valin gets exceptional snowfall. A four-season area for a cottage stay.
HOLIDAYS IN SAGUENAY
Who is Saguenay for, and when should you go?
An area of vertical landscapes: cliffs, summits and deep water. The right time depends mostly on what you are after.
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With family
A family holiday in Saguenay: the Musée du Fjord and its aquarium, La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, the fjord lookouts.
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As a couple
A cruise on the fjord, a sunset from a headland, and the cottage by the lake.
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Hikers
The ridge trails above the fjord and the Randonnée des Pics traverse in Monts-Valin.
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Winter & snowmobiling
Exceptional snowfall in Monts-Valin, and snowmobile trails 500 m from our cottage.
When to visit Saguenay
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Spring
The fjord thawing and the seabirds returning.
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Summer
Cruises, sea kayaking, hiking and beluga watching.
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Fall
The colours seen from the headlands — the fjord at its most photogenic.
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Winter
The Valley of the Ghosts, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice fishing.
WHAT TO DO IN SAGUENAY
What to do in Saguenay: activities by season
Things to do in Saguenay with family, in summer as in winter. Pick a theme to see the matching activities — every place named here is real.
With family
- Musée du Fjord — La Baie The Fjord Aquarium, the NAVIS show, and low-tide outings to meet the creatures of the shoreline.
- La Pulperie de Chicoutimi A museum complex in the old pulp mill, including Arthur Villeneuve's painted house.
- The lookouts of Saguenay Fjord National Park Easily reached viewpoints over the cliffs and the water, no long hike required (Sépaq).
- The Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue At Baie-Éternité, a wooden statue that has overlooked the fjord since the late 19th century.
- A cruise on the fjord The simplest way to take the measure of those cliffs.
- The Pyramide des Ha! Ha! — La Baie A landmark you cannot miss, a short walk from the Musée du Fjord.
In summer
- The Randonnée des Pics — Monts-Valin The east–west traverse of the park, up to Pic Dubuc and its 984 m (Sépaq).
- The fjord ridge trails The routes running high above Baie-Éternité and Baie-Sainte-Marguerite.
- Sea kayaking on the fjord Paddling at the foot of 300 m cliffs, with tides of 4 to 6 m.
- Beluga watching The fjord and its mouth are home to the St. Lawrence belugas.
- Canoeing & paddleboarding on the Valin River In Monts-Valin National Park — fresh water this time.
- Hiking at Mont-Édouard — L'Anse-Saint-Jean 25 km of trails on the mountain and along the Haute-Route.
In winter
- The Valley of the Ghosts — Monts-Valin Snow sculpts the trees into ghostly shapes; the Fantôme-Express shuttle takes you up (Sépaq).
- Snowshoeing in Monts-Valin More than 77 km of marked trails, many of them linking mountain shelters.
- Cross-country skiing in Monts-Valin 71 km of groomed trails, for a day out or a full expedition.
- Downhill skiing & ski touring — Mont-Édouard Supervised skiing, guided outings and shelters at L'Anse-Saint-Jean.
- Snowmobiling One of Québec's great snowmobiling destinations, with trails reachable from the cottage.
- Ice fishing on the fjord Villages of huts go up on the ice every winter.
COTTAGE RENTALS IN SAGUENAY
Discover all cottages
Our cottages to rent in Saguenay
One cottage in the Saguenay area: La Maison du Lac, on the shore of Lac Kénogami. Details come straight from its listing — click through for availability and rates.
ITINERARY
A weekend in Saguenay: our itinerary
A suggested three-day route starting from your cottage. The links lead to official sources.
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Day 1 — The city: Chicoutimi and La Baie
La Pulperie de Chicoutimi in the morning, then La Baie: the Musée du Fjord, its aquarium and a walk on the shore at low tide.
Musée du Fjord ↗ -
Day 2 — The fjord at Baie-Éternité
The big day: the ridge trails, the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue, and sea kayaking or a cruise if the weather allows.
Sépaq — Saguenay Fjord ↗ -
Day 3 — Monts-Valin
Head north: the Randonnée des Pics and Pic Dubuc in summer; the Valley of the Ghosts and the Fantôme-Express shuttle in winter.
Sépaq — Monts-Valin ↗
WHAT TO SEE IN SAGUENAY
The essential sights of Saguenay
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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FROM SAINT-FULGENCE TO TADOUSSAC
The Saguenay Fjord
saguenaylacsaintjean.ca105 km long, 1.6 km wide on average, up to 275 m deep, with cliffs reaching 300 m. It is the only navigable fjord in North America, and sixteen marine species typical of the Arctic live in it.
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SÉPAQ · RIVIÈRE-ÉTERNITÉ
Saguenay Fjord National Park
sepaq.comThree sectors — Baie-Éternité, Baie-Sainte-Marguerite and Baie-de-Tadoussac. Ridge trails running high above the water, the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue, and the St. Lawrence belugas.
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SÉPAQ · NORTH OF SAGUENAY
Monts-Valin National Park
sepaq.comPic Dubuc tops out at 984 m — the highest accessible mountain in the region. In winter, snow turns the trees into ghosts; the Fantôme-Express shuttle carries you up to the Valley of the Ghosts. More than 77 km of snowshoe trails and 71 km of cross-country skiing.
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SAGUENAY · LA BAIE
The Musée du Fjord
museedufjord.comThe Fjord Aquarium, the NAVIS multimedia show and the immersive Plancton Odyssée exhibition — plus guided walks on the shore at low tide.
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SAGUENAY · CHICOUTIMI
La Pulperie de Chicoutimi
pulperie.comA museum complex housed in the old pulp mill: the "Dubuc — roi de la pulpe" exhibition, Arthur Villeneuve's painted house, and the Chek8timi experience about the trading post.
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L'ANSE-SAINT-JEAN
Mont-Édouard
montedouard.comThe area's ski mountain, in a village set on the edge of the fjord: downhill skiing, a ski-touring sector with shelters and guided outings, and 25 km of walking trails in summer.
The 6 sectors of Saguenay
Saguenay reads from west to east, following the river as it becomes a fjord and joins the St. Lawrence. End to end, it is about a two-hour drive.
Jonquière & Lac-Kénogami — the lakes and the city: our cottage is here.
Chicoutimi — La Pulperie, the downtown and the river.
La Baie — the Musée du Fjord, the Baie des Ha! Ha! and its pyramid.
Saint-Fulgence & Monts-Valin — the head of the fjord and the high country.
Rivière-Éternité — Baie-Éternité and Saguenay Fjord National Park.
L'Anse-Saint-Jean & Petit-Saguenay — Mont-Édouard and the run down to Tadoussac.
FAQ
Holidays in Saguenay: common questions
What is the difference between Saguenay and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean?
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean is Québec's administrative region 02. It splits into two halves: Lac-Saint-Jean in the west, around the lake, and Saguenay in the east, around the river and its fjord. The word "Saguenay" also means the river, the fjord, and the city of Saguenay, created in 2002 by merging Chicoutimi, Jonquière and La Baie. See the whole region →
What makes the Saguenay Fjord unique?
It runs 105 km from Saint-Fulgence to Tadoussac, averaging 1.6 km wide, with cliffs reaching 300 m and a maximum depth of 275 m. It is the only navigable fjord in North America, and its waters hold sixteen marine species typical of the Arctic.
What is there to do in Saguenay in winter?
The Valley of the Ghosts in Monts-Valin National Park, where snow turns the trees into ghostly shapes and the Fantôme-Express shuttle carries you up: more than 77 km of snowshoe trails and 71 km of cross-country skiing. Add downhill skiing at Mont-Édouard, snowmobiling and ice fishing on the fjord.
What is there to do in Saguenay with family?
The Musée du Fjord in La Baie, with its Fjord Aquarium and its low-tide outings; La Pulperie de Chicoutimi; the lookouts of Saguenay Fjord National Park and the Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue; and a cruise on the fjord.
Can you rent a cottage in Saguenay with Chalets Confort?
Yes, one: La Maison du Lac, at Lac-Kénogami. Four bedrooms, a private dock, 15 minutes from Jonquière and 30 from Chicoutimi, with snowmobile and ATV trails 500 metres away. Two more cottages are listed in the neighbouring Lac-Saint-Jean region, about an hour's drive away. See available cottages →
Ready to explore Saguenay?
Book your cottage and make it your base for the fjord. A real team is there for you, before and during your stay.
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