Quebec’s Best-Kept Secret: Why Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean Should Be On Your Quebec Bucket List

If you crave fresh air, jaw-dropping nature, and food rooted in its surroundings, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean should be high on your Quebec bucket list.

The name Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean reflects the region’s two defining natural features that represent its unique geography and cultural identity: the Saguenay River and Fjord and Lake Saint-Jean.

This Quebec region is a hidden treasure trove of natural wonders: picture dramatic fjords, boreal forest trails, wildlife sightings, blueberry everything, and local flavours that go way beyond poutine. It’s very reminiscent to my first time checking out the best things to do in Timmins, exploring the boreal forest and tasting boreal flavours.

I spent 4 days in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean as part of the TBEX Travel Conference in Quebec City, and I’ve fallen in love with this beautiful region.

How To Get To Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean From Quebec City

Getting to Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean from Quebec City is an easy and scenic drive, typically around a 2.5 to 3-hour journey driving the 210-kilometre route along Route 175.

You’ll head north, and the landscape gradually transforms from rolling farmlands to more rugged, forested terrain, giving you a taste of the wild beauty to come.

It’s a straightforward route, making it perfect for a road trip with friends, giving you plenty of time to chat and enjoy the changing views.

Best Things To Do in Saguenay and Lac-Saint-Jean Region

Witness Canada’s Only Navigable Fjord That Will Leave You Breathless

I never knew Canada had a fjord until my visit in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean!

Carved by glaciers after the last ice age over 10,000 years ago, the Saguenay Fjord is one of the only navigable fjords in North America.

It’s a truly majestic sight, stretching over 100 kilometers inland from the St. Lawrence River with its steep walls rising 500 m above the water.

What makes it special is its unique ecosystem, where saltwater from the St. Lawrence mixes with freshwater from the Saguenay River, and you can actually see the clear “divider” where it happens (more on that later).

Step Back in Time at a Historic Village with a Majestic Waterfall

Village Historique de Val-Jalbert dates back to 1901 when the pulp and paper mill built by industrialist Damase Jalbert sprang up beside Ouiatchouan Falls.

It was abandoned in 1927 when the mill closed, leaving it like a time capsule.

It was restored in 1960 as a historic village: a living museum with a immersive show, guided tours onboard a 1920s-style trolleybus,.

Feels stepping onto a film set, only with 70 preserved heritage buildings and period actors you can chat with about mill life.

Don’t miss the cable car that takes you right up to the top of the impressive Ouiatchouan Falls, offering incredible views of the village and surrounding landscape.

The falls drop 72 metres, taller than Niagara Falls, and on a sunny day you’ll spot rainbows in the mist. You can even peer over the edge from a glass platform.

Wandering Val-Jalbert’s restored streets feels like walking into a sepia-hued postcard.

The best time to visit is early morning when mist rises off the falls, but at night you also get to see the falls illuminated in different colors.

I loved staying at Val-Jalbert Historical Village.

It’s very rare you get to stay inside a historic village, plus enjoy exclusive access to the grounds and buildings when it’s closed to the public.

Rise early for delicious breakfast at Restaurant du Moulin.

Sleep Among the Trees with Fjord Views

Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux is a next-level forest escape. This adventure park offers unique stays!

Treehouses, glass domes, and fjord-facing pods let you sleep above the boreal forest with all with breathtaking views of the Saguenay Fjord and stargazing views.

We headed to the Murdock Pavilion with a beach and dock facing the fjord, where we enjoyed lunch prepared by local producers by Aventure Rose des Vents while sipping some local craft beer.

Glide Along Lake Saint-Jean Through The Blueberry Bike Route on an E-Bike

From Val-Jalbert, we hopped on an electric bike and rolled our way along the 256-km Blueberry Cycling Route, one of the most scenic rides around Lac Saint-Jean.

The route winds through charming lakeside towns and blueberry fields, ending with a well-earned break at La Marina 1353.

It’s laid-back, breezy, and a ridiculously beautiful way to take in the region.

Equinox Aventure offers e-bike rentals and guided rides in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

It was my first time using an e-bike, and there’s no going back to regular bikes for me!

I remember when I did the bike tour in Norfolk County, I was winded and had to stop multiple times but this wasn’t the case with the electric bike.

Discover and Honor Indigenous Heritage with Living Traditions

Dive into the rich history of the First Nations people at Musée Ilnu de Mashteuiatsh, located in Mashteuiatsh, the only Indigenous community around Lake Saint-Jean.

Opened in June 1977, this museum is a privileged place for enhancing and transmitting the culture of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh, the Ilnu (Innu) people of Lac Saint-Jean.

You’ll learn about their 6,000-year history through art, artifacts, and engaging exhibits. Deeply moving, beautifully curated, and rooted in millennia of history.

Travelling Foodie Tip: Align your trip in June for National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Site de transmission culturelle ilnu Uashassihtsh on the 21st.

The stars aligned for us and we got to enjoy their vibrant traditions and customs, and try some game meats like beaver, moose and goose.

Unwind in a Cliff-Side Sauna That Has the Best Fjord Views and Dine with a Mystery Gourmet Meal

For an unparalleled stay with incredible views, I highly recommend Auberge du Cap au Leste in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord.

Perched high above and facing the Saguenay Fjord, this charming inn offers panoramic vistas that will take your breath away.

This is where we easily and visibly saw the dividing “line” where the saltwater from St. Lawrence River meets with the freshwater from Saguenay River.

I love hotels with a pool and sauna.

Here you’ll have a fantastic sauna with some of the best views you could ask for, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

Dinner at their on-site restaurant, Restaurant Le Rabaska, is a must!

They only offer one menu, an amazing three-course menu that changes nightly, showcasing local ingredients and flavors.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the sunset over the fjord.

See Wildlife in Their Natural Habitat

For an unforgettable wildlife experience, head to Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien.

Spread over 485 hectares in Saint-Félicien, it’s particularly famous for its Nature Trail Park.

Here you ride a screened-in train through a vast natural habitat to observe animals indigenous to the boreal forest like moose, bears and cougars.

Expect over 400 animals, 75 species and 4.5-km of pedestrian sections.

It’s an incredible opportunity to see these magnificent creatures in a respectful and educational way.

I was most excited to see a polar bear, and it delivered!

We even got a special behind-the-scenes with the zookeeper on how they do biomedical training on the bear.

A Hidden Waterfall Without The Hiking for Locals in the Know

Parc de la Chute-à-Michel is just outside the Boulevard du Jardin city center, which makes it the perfect spot for a quick dose of nature without going far.

This 3 km riverside trail kicks off by a small 3-metre waterfall then winds along the Ashuapmushuan River toward the Arcand Rapids.

It’s a stunning natural site with sweet rushing sounds of the river. We even saw a couple of people fly fishing.

Cruise the Fjord’s Stunning Waterways

You absolutely have to experience the Saguenay Fjord from the water.

Navettes Maritimes du Fjord offers fantastic fjord cruises that allow you to truly appreciate the sheer scale and beauty of this natural wonder.

We departed from the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord and headed for l’Anse-Saint-Jean.

You’ll sail past towering cliffs, observe marine life (if you’re lucky) and seabirds, and get a unique perspective on the landscapes you’ve been exploring from land.

It’s a relaxing and informative way to take in the grandeur of the fjord with a guide pointing out specific things along the way, like certain formations that’s hard to spot (like snoopy), waterfalls, and the Notre-Dame du Saguenay statue perched on top a mountain.

Hike Epic Fjord Vistas Through a National Park

We admired the fjord from hotel and boat. Now it’s time to be in the heart of the fjord.

With an area of 326.7 km², Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay protects a significant portion of the Saguenay Fjord and its surrounding boreal forests.

One of its most iconic viewpoints is L’Anse-de-Tabatière, offering an easy and accessible 0.5 trail loop for breathtaking panoramic views of the fjord.

Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay has numerous trails ranging from easy strolls to challenging multi-day treks, all providing incredible opportunities to immerse yourself in the region’s natural beauty:

• If you’re up for a challenge, take on the trail to the statue of Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay with steep hikes on stone steps and forest switchbacks.
• If you’re craving more adrenaline, clip into the Via ferrata des Géants and scale the fjord’s rock walls. This is one of the most thrilling ways to experience the fjord’s sheer cliffs up close.

Stay Riverside with Fjord Views

In Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, you can practically have fjord views from all sorts of perspectives: high up on a cliff, among the trees….

Or, this time, riverside at Battures – Hôtel sur le Fjord-du-Saguenay.

Originally opening as Auberge des Battures in 1988, this hotel offers comfortable stays with direct access to the beauty of the fjord, located right by the water in La Baie.

During low tide, you can even walk further into the riverbank.

Taste the Boreal Forest on Your Plate

The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is passionate about its local identity, especially when it comes to food.

Look for restaurants that are part of the “Zone Boréale Ambassador” program.

These establishments commit to highlighting local products and unique boreal flavors, providing an authentic taste of the region.

It’s a fantastic and delicious way to support local producers and experience the true culinary essence of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Restaurant Le Baumier

Tucked inside Hôtel du Jardin, Le Baumier opened in 2020 by local chef couple Patrick Fournier and Sébastien Simard as their love letter to the region.

Expect the menu to be inspired by French techniques, Nordic flavors, and global flair, all grounded in ancestral Quebec traditions. Everything is hyper local and refined without being fussy.

I highly recommend the duck and octopus, and save room for the wild blueberry pie.

Resto des Battures

Situated in Battures Hotel, Resto des Battures (previously called Restaurant O’battilage) offers a delightful dining experience with stunning views of the Saguenay Fjord.

They focus on fresh, local ingredients, and their menu features creative dishes that are both visually appealing and incredibly delicious.

The arancini was interesting twist using barley instead of risotto, and the fresh pasta was a crowd favourite.

La Chasse-Pinte

If you’re a fan of craft beer, make your way to La Chasse-Pinte – Brasserie Coopérative / Bistro in L’Anse-Saint-Jean.

It’s a fantastic place to sample distinct Quebec brews and enjoy a casual meal (their gourmet pizza had a unique dough and was delicious!) in a lively atmosphere with a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the fjord.

This cooperative brewery, which began brewing its first batches in November 2015, is known for its unique beers that often incorporate local boreal plants and ingredients.

Aventure Rose des vents

Tucked inside a former presbytery in Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, Aventure Rose des vents‘ restaurant serves up bold, seasonal dishes made with fresh ingredients from nearby farms.

Think wild game, foraged herbs, and housemade everything.

We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but we enjoyed their prepared food for lunch at Parc Aventures Cap Jaseux.

Try Unique Game Meats in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean

Game meats are big in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and has been part the region’s heritage for centuries when early settlers and Innu hunted to survive.

I’ve sampled bear heart, bison, rabbit and elk in Timmins and seal in Îles-de-la-Madeleine, and here I sampled moose tourtière, and beaver and goose meat at the National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities.

I also saw red deer poutine at La Chasse-Pinte.

Blueberry Everything, Everywhere

You’ll quickly discover that wild blueberries, or “bleuets,” are king in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

These tiny, flavourful berries are everywhere! You’ll go wild for them!

From delicious jams, chutneys, and pies to unique products like blueberry soap and lotion, and even blueberry-infused cocktails and beers, you’ll find them integrated into almost everything.

Make sure to visit local markets and shops like Délices du Lac Saint-Jean, an economuseum dedicated to wild blueberries.

There’s just something special about Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.

Maybe it’s the fresh air and fjords or the way wild blueberries sneak their way into everything from cocktails to pies.

Between the hikes, the food, the history, and the people who bring it all to life, this region totally won me over.

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean is Quebec’s wild-hearted secret, and it deserves a spot on your bucket list.

As always, happy travelling and eating!