EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

Enjoy the best of what the Saguenay region has to offer. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through La Baie, where you’ll discover the importance of the Saguenay Fjord – deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains. The Fjord Museum will explain the creation of the fjord and the mysteries it conceals. You’ll pass the Ha! Ha! Pyramid, a monument to the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.

A visit will be made to Arthur Villeneuve’s Place, where guests are invited to see the impressive frescoes done by the local barber-painter that cover almost every square inch of his home. Your final stop will be to Le Chevrier du Nord, a small family run goat farm that produces goat mohair wool.

At the tip of a majestic fjord where the waters of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers meet lies the charming village of Saguenay. With a decidedly French atmosphere and a touch of the Old World, you’ll visit the district of Chicoutimi and learn about the area's cultural, historic and natural history. As you begin your sightseeing tour, you’ll discover the importance of the fjord, deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains, as a natural trading route for the first Nations people of the area. In the 1600’s, France established its first fur trading post and colonization of the area soon followed. you’ll learn about the early 20th century brought exploitation of the river with logging, the pulp and paper industries, and aluminum production.

Once arrived in Chicoutimi, you’ll drive along its main street – rue Racine – and its Old Port. A photo opportunity will be made the Little White House that miraculously survived the Flood of 1996. A photo will also be made at the Pulp Mill of Chicoutimi. Founded in 1898, the mill played an important role in the development of the area. Also noted as the first French Canadian owned Pulp Company the mill produced a high quality pulp that was exported throughout the world. You’ll then drive by the Ha! Ha! Pyramid in La Baie district where you’ll learn of the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.

At the tip of a majestic fjord where the waters of the Saquenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers meet lies the charming village of Saguenay. With a decidedly French atmosphere and a touch of the Old World, you’ll visit the district of Chicoutimi, and learn about the areas cultural, historic and natural history. As you begin your sightseeing tour, you’ll discover the importance of the fjord, deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains, as a natural trading route for the first Nations people of the area. In the 1600’s, France established its first fur trading post and colonization of the area soon followed. Passing the industrial area, you’ll see how the early 20th century brought exploitation of the river with logging, the pulp and paper industries, and aluminum production.

Continuing to Chicoutimi, you’ll drive along its main street – rue Racine – and its Old Port. A photo stop will be made at the Cultural Quarter and the Little White House that miraculously survived the Flood of 1996. A photo stop will also be made at the Pulp Mill of Chicoutimi. Founded in 1898, the mill played an important role in the development of the area. Also noted as the first French Canadian owned Pulp Company the mill produced a high quality pulp that was exported throughout the world. You’ll then drive by the Ha! Ha! Pyramid in La Baie district where you’ll learn of the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters.

Discover the best the Saguenay has to offer as this tour combines the raw beauty of the fjord as can only be seen from the sea and Saguenay National Park. Board your vessel and enjoy a truly unique experience as you discover the natural beauty of the fjord from the sea! With huge cliff’s shaped by glaciers rising more than 1,150 feet and then dropping 900 feet deep in the shallow waters, this unforgettable cruise will take you Cape Trinity, the most impressive cliff in the fjord.Learn about the geological, biological and morphological development of the fjord as you glide by the impressive landscapes and towering cliffs.

Your journey will take you along the shores of Ste. Rose du Nord, the jewel of the Saguenay and one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Quebec. This charming little hamlet is nestled on the shores of the Saguenay River and surrounded by beautiful landscapes. Your cruise ends at the charming village of L’Anse St-Jean where you’ll have some free time to explore this little village. Board your transportation to continue your journey on land with photo opportunities at an old covered bridge shown on the $1000.00 Canadian bill and a stop at the National Park observation point.

Step back in time and discover the artisans of the Saguenay region from a bygone era! Visit the Touverre Workshop. Glass blowing is one of the oldest forms of art and also one of the most difficult to master. The technique was used in Egypt and Syria thousands of years ago. Nowadays in Saguenay, Guiseppe Benedetto, glass-maker and sculptor, performs this highly sophisticated technique for visitors to his workshop. The glassmaker’s goal is to develop top-of-the-line decorative objects such as whales, blueberries, fruits, lamps, perfumers and more. His creations integrate his art with architecture. Limited series sculptures incorporate granite, glass, aluminum, bronze or steel contrasts in strength and fragility.

Visit Fromagerie Boivin and taste some samples of cheese while you hear the history of their family enterprise. Next is the Alpaca Bersi farm. During this visit you will learn about the characteristics of the Alpaca. You’ll learn about this friendly-natured animal from the collection of its fiber to the finished product. Also known as the Gold of the Andes, this luxurious natural fiber has much to offer. It is light, warm, resistant, not prickly, hypoallergenic and extremely soft. Combined with expertise of the craftsman, you’ll find unique treasures such as sweaters, scarfs, hats, mittens and more.

Step back in time and discover the artisans of the Saguenay region from a bygone era! Visit the Touverre Workshop. Glass blowing is one of the oldest forms of art and also one of the most difficult to master. The technique was used in Egypt and Syria thousands of years ago. Nowadays in Saguenay, Guiseppe Benedetto, glass-maker and sculptor, performs this highly sophisticated technique for visitors to his workshop. The glassmaker’s goal is to develop top-of-the-line decorative objects such as whales, blueberries, fruits, lamps, perfumers and more. His creations integrate his art with architecture. Limited series sculptures incorporate granite, glass, aluminum, bronze or steel contrasts in strength and fragility.

Visit Fromagerie Boivin and taste some samples of cheese while you hear the history of their family enterprise. Next is the Alpaca Bersi farm. During this visit you will learn about the characteristics of the Alpaca. You’ll learn about this friendly-natured animal from the collection of its fiber to the finished product. Also known as the Gold of the Andes, this luxurious natural fiber has much to offer. It is light, warm, resistant, not prickly, hypoallergenic and extremely soft. Combined with expertise of the craftsman, you’ll find unique treasures such as sweaters, scarfs, hats, mittens and more.

For those that prefer to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of Saguenay National Park at a leisurely pace, this tour is for you! From the pier in La Baie, you’ll enjoy a 60-minute scenic drive to Parc National du Saguenay Interpretation Center. Following your introduction to the park, you’ll join your guide for an easy one-hour stroll along the Meandres des Falaises trail during your stroll you will learn about the creation and characteristics of the Saguenay Fjord, whose magnificent topography was sculpted by glaciers 10 million years ago . Owing its magnificent geography to a 15-billion ton meteorite that fell on earth 350 million years ago you’ll learn the answers to such question as: What’s a Fjord? How was it shaped? Why are the waters of the Saguenay River so dark and salted? Are these sand dunes or marine terraces? What species can be regularly observed in the Park? What are the habits of the St Lawrence’s marine and wildlife ? You’ll have time on your own to fully explore the Interpretation Centre as it reveals the hidden mysteries of this exceptional ecosystem or shop in the trendy gift shop.

With over 120 km of hiking trails, a great way to discover this magnificent yet little known landscape is by foot. From the pier in La Baie, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Parc National du Saguenay where you’ll begin your 1 1/2-mile journey along the 'point de vue du soupir' trail. Here you’ll experience first hand and up close the disproportionate scale of time and space in a land where nature has made use of its colossal forces to carve out a fjord. The hike culminates at the halfway point to the statue of Our Lady of Saguenay where you’ll have remarkable views of the Fjord and surrounding mountains, lakes and valleys. The hike will take approximately two hours round trip and is recommended for advanced hikers with a rise in height of 450 feet and 500 steps to climb. Following your hike you’ll have some free time at the Interpretation Center to enjoy the excellent exhibits of the fjord or shop in the trendy gift shop.