Saguenay Highlights

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.