Tadoussac is a village of fewer than a thousand people in a bay where the Saguenay Fjord meets the St. Lawrence River, and it has been a meeting place for centuries.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Late June to September for whale cruises, kayaking and open restaurants.
How long
Two days for the village and a cruise, three if you add the fjord trails.
Getting there
By road on Route 138, with a free ferry across the Saguenay.
Why visit Tadoussac
Tadoussac is billed as the oldest surviving French settlement in the Western Hemisphere, founded in 1599 as a fur trading post, and it is listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec. Its bay belongs to the club of the most beautiful bays in the world, which it joined in 1998.
Whales are the main draw. The meeting of salt and fresh water draws feeding animals, and the first marine park in Canada, the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, protects the area. Even without a boat, the village is easy to enjoy on foot.
History adds depth to the scenery. Jacques Cartier anchored here in 1535 and found Innu people using the bay as a base for seal hunting.
In the village
Chapelle de Tadoussac
This small wooden mission chapel was built between 1747 and 1750 and is a national historic site.
Pointe-Rouge and the beach
A one-kilometer trail, the Sentier de la Plage, follows the beach to Pointe Rouge. The headland holds Parc Languedoc and the Jardin des Jésuites on a plateau above the mouth of the Saguenay.
Pointe-de-l'Islet
At the western entrance to the bay, a 900-meter trail runs from the wharf along a boardwalk on the rocks, with a superb view of the fjord.
Église Sainte-Croix
The Catholic church was erected in 1889 and anchors the old village streets. It is worth a short stop on the way between the chapel and the main street.
Whales and the water
The marine mammal centre
The Centre d'interprétation des mammifères marins explains the life of whales, seals and other marine mammals of the St. Lawrence.
Whale-watching cruises
This is one of the best places south of the Arctic to see beluga whales. Fin whales, minke whales and harbour porpoises are common, with humpback and blue whales sometimes visible.
Sea kayaking
Guided half-day kayaking trips on the fjord and the estuary leave from the beach in summer, and longer packages are available. The water is cold, so listen to the guides on safety and gear.
Prince Shoal lighthouse
About seven kilometers east of the village, the lighthouse nicknamed la Toupie stands in the river at the mouth of the Saguenay. You will see it from a cruise rather than the shore.
The fjord and the dunes
Dunes and the Moulin-à-Baude
The Baie du Moulin-à-Baude section of Saguenay Fjord National Park lies around Tadoussac. A belvedere over the dunes gives a panorama of the river, and an 800-meter trail explores the area near the mouth of the Moulin-à-Baude river.
Saguenay Fjord National Park
The fjord is 105 kilometers long, with cliffs that average 150 meters in height. The park offers more than 100 kilometers of hiking trails, camping and boat tours.
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Food and local flavors
Menus in Tadoussac lean on the sea and the forest. Lobster and other seafood are standard in the village's restaurants, and some kitchens serve game such as caribou.
The village has a microbrewery across from the beach and creperies and sweet stands by the water. Many restaurants are open only from May or June to October, so check ahead outside high season.
Popular dishes to try in Tadoussac
Where to stay
Rue du Bord-de-l'Eau runs along the beach and puts you close to the marina, the cruise docks and the brewery. It suits anyone who wants to step out and board a boat, and it is the best choice for first-time visitors who want a view of the bay.
Rue des Pionniers is the village's main street, with cafes, restaurants and the tourist office, and the road to the dunes belvedere begins from it. It suits travelers who like to stay central and do everything on foot.
Where to stay in Tadoussac
Best time to visit
Most boat tours run from May to September, and the whale season is the main reason to visit. Late June to early September is the most reliable time, with guided kayaking running from late June and the marina open from late May to mid October.
Mid June brings a cluster of events, including the Festival de la chanson de Tadoussac, the writing festival Les chemins d'écriture and the North Shore bird festival.
Getting there and getting around
Tadoussac lies on Route 138 on the north shore of the St. Lawrence. Coming from Quebec City and points west, you cross the Saguenay on the free ferry from Baie-Sainte-Catherine, which runs year round.
Routes 172 and 170 follow the fjord from Saguenay, but there are almost no services and no cell towers along 172, so fill up on fuel first. In the village you can walk everywhere.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Arrive by ferry and walk the beach to Pointe Rouge, then visit the chapel and the marine mammal centre.
Second day
Spend the morning on the dunes trail and the belvedere.
Third day
Hike part of the Fjord Trail or paddle with a guide. Cross back on the ferry in the afternoon.
Practical tips
- Book whale cruises and kayak trips ahead for July and August.
- Dress in warm layers and a windproof jacket, because it is cold on the water even in summer.
- Bring binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens.
- Check opening seasons for restaurants, tours and the interpretation centre.
- Fill the tank before driving Route 172, where services are few.
