Saguenay River & Fjord, Quebec, Canada

The Saguenay River is a major river of Quebec, Canada. It drains Lac Saint-Jean in the Laurentian Highlands, leaving at Alma and running east, and passes the city of Saguenay. It drains into the Saint Lawrence River at Tadoussac. The river has a very high flow-rate and is bordered by steep cliffs associated with the Saguenay Graben. Tide waters flow in its fjord upriver as far as Chicoutimi (about 100 kilometres).

The waters at the meeting place of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers have been given a special protected status. Whale-watching is a major industry at the mouth of the Saguenay. Whales are drawn to the rich food supply - even blue whales have found their way here. Most whales are only summer visitors. They make their way south to breed before the onset of winter.

The city of Port Saguenay is located on the Saguenay River, about 200 kilometers north of Quebec City at the head of the majestic Saguenay Fjord. Port Saguenay provides easy access to the natural splendors of the Laurentian forests, a favorite year-round playground of the Quebecois.

Things to see and do

* Artist workshops
* Art galleries
* Historical monuments
* Museums
* Boutiques and shops

General Information

Cruise Season - May - Nov
Currency - Canadian Dollar (CAD)
Language - English, French
Population - 145,090 approx (Port Saguenay)
Land Area - 1165 km²
Electricity - 2 perpendicular flat pins US style or with a round pin below
Time - GMT minus five hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 1

Transport Links - The city's airport is the Bagotville Airport, which shares the aerodrome of Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. It has daily flights to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport as well as services to Quebec City and Sept-Îles, and also has seasonal flights to Cancun and vacation destinations in Cuba. Another airfield, Chicoutimi/Saint-Honore Aerodrome, itself a former air force base, is located to the north of the city.