EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Discover the unique qualities of the land and people around Saguenay by visiting several unusual museums devoted to the Saguenay Fjord and pulp mill. Departing from the pier, you will immediately be struck by the natural beauty surrounding Saguenay, which sprawls along the Saguenay River, a tributary of the mighty St. Lawrence. Its fjord, deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains, is one of the world's largest and was discovered by French explorer Jacques Cartier in the mid-1530s. Marine life thrives here, including Beluga whales, Minke whales and Greenland sharks. Arriving at the Fjord Museum, you will discover how the waterway was formed, its importance to the province, and why the museum's strange Ha! Ha! Pyramid monument was created out of more than 3,000 traffic yield signs. Then a self-guided visit will be made, at the historic old paper mill, which is a National Historic Site of Canada, located in a partially forested valley on the Chicoutimi River. The pulp mill once belonged to the Compagnie de Pulpe de Chicoutimi, which mechanically transformed wood into paper pulp to meet the demand of European markets at the beginning of the 20th century. Since summer 2002, following major renovations, La Pulperie de Chicoutimi opens its doors to the public and offers artistic and ethnologic displays on the history of the locals’ inhabitants. Finally, you'll visit Le Chevrier du Nord, a farm that raises angora goats for mohair clothing. It's quite the enterprise and a memorable end to your tour before driving back to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the majestic Saguenay River fjord and discover more about it at the Fjord Museum.
• Visit a goat farm and see how mohair is harvested for a variety of garments.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

See many of the key attractions that define Saguenay, especially in its decidedly French Chicoutimi district. Saguenay lies at the tip of a majestic fjord where the waters of the Saguenay and the Saint Lawrence rivers meet, and as you drive through the charming town the guide will elaborate on the fjord’s importance to trade through the centuries. Upon reaching Chicoutimi, you will pause for photos of the Little White House that survived the devastating floods of 1996. The house is now considered a symbol of perseverance. You will also pass the Ha! Ha! Pyramid, a contemporary art piece that commemorates the destructive flood. The whimsical pyramid is constructed with thousands of Yield Road signs. during this tour you will see a 19th-century pulp mill that helped spur development throughout this part of Canada.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover how the fjord in this area spurred trade over the centuries.
• Gain an understanding of the 1996 flood that caused widespread devastation in Saguenay.
• See a whimsical pyramid-shaped art installation that commemorates the flood.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

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.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore beauty of the fjord and Saguenay National Park.
• Learn about the geological, biological, and morphological development of the fjord.
• Discover charming village of L’Anse St-Jean where you’ll have some free time to explore.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain a historical perspective of the colonization of the Quebec province by visiting re-creations of several 17th-century settlements. Upon arriving in New France, you will easily be able to imagine life during the colonization of the Quebec province, as the settlement features restored historical buildings and costumed characters that will immerse you in the world of New France. French colonists lived side by side with First Nations tribes such as the Hurons, and you will also visit a re-creation of their village, along with a rural farm and Quebec City’s upper and lower towns. Interacting with the characters at New France, sampling traditional foods add even more to your understanding of 17th-century life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Develop a sense of early life in Saguenay by visiting re-creations of 17th-century villages.
• Understand how the French and First Nations tribes lived side by side in harmony.
• Experience the simplicity of rural farmsteads from the 17th century, learning about agricultural practices and daily routines of the time.
• Delight your senses with the flavors of 17th-century Quebec through tastings of authentic foods, adding a delicious dimension to your exploration of historical life.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Gain a remarkably in-depth historical understanding of the area on a panoramic drive through Saguenay and enjoy a variety of tastings at a winery in the countryside. Saguenay lies along the banks of its namesake river and the Chicoutimi River, where you will see a late-19th-century stone pulp mill that fueled the region’s early economy. You will also see evidence of the devastating impact of the rivers while pausing at the Little White House, which survived the floods of 1996 and became a symbol of perseverance. Still, Saguenay’s most unusual attraction is the whimsical Ha! Ha! Pyramid, a contemporary art installation made with thousands of Yield Road signs. It commemorates that destructive flood. After traveling into the rolling countryside west of Saguenay, you will visit Domaine le Cageot, the region’s first vineyard and producer of spirits. Besides tasting its premier spirits, you will enjoy a slice of blueberry pie, a blueberry tea, a tasting of three wines—including the blueberry aperitif wine Bleu de Roi, the raspberry and blueberry aperitif wine Frambleu—and a blueberry Kir Royal cocktail, along with a blueberry ganache chocolate.

HIGHLIGHTS

• View many of Saguenay’s most defining landmarks while driving through town.
• Discover how the rivers that flow through Saguenay have influenced its development.
• See a 19th-century pulp mill and a house that miraculously survived the flood of 1996.
• Behold a contemporary outdoor art piece made with road signs that commemorates that flood.
• Sample house made spirits and foods made with berries at an acclaimed winery Domaine le Cageot.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how local artisans make cheese, blow glass and weave alpaca wool using time-honored traditional techniques. Your immersion into these crafts will include the family-owned Fromagerie Boivin, where you will see how a variety of cheeses is made and then sample a selection of them. One of the most popular items is a cheese curd that squeaks when you chew it. You will enhance your understanding of glass-blowing at the Touverre Workshop as the craftsmen demonstrate how to manipulate glass into creative shapes. You may also learn about the materials needed to produce glass and the history of glass-blowing. Similarly, at the Alpaga Bersi farm, you will see how craftsmen skillfully weave alpaca wool into sweaters, hats, scarves and other clothing. Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca wool doesn’t contain lanolin so it is hypoallergenic.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sample a variety of cheeses that are produced using traditional techniques.
• Watch glass-blowers manipulate molten glass into all sorts of useful and creative items.
• See how alpaca wool is woven into clothing with the added benefit of being hypoallergenic.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

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 Visitor Center. Following your arrival, 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 stop by the Visitor Centre where you could shop in the trendy gift shop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy easy one-hour stroll along the Meandres des Falaises trail.
• Learn about the geological, biological, and morphological development of the fjord.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

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 firsthand 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 will head back to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover hidden beauty of Saguenay National Park while hiking 1 ½ miles trail.
• Learn about the geological, biological, and morphological development of the fjord.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.