Best Of Saguenay

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.