This summer, let yourself be carried away by a wave of new experiences: new places to discover, immersive activities, outdoor adventures, and moments of relaxation to the rhythm of the lake and wide-open spaces. From nature-based accommodations to water activities, as well as festivals, gourmet routes, and cultural discoveries, the season promises to be bright, lively, and unforgettable.
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean : live it to believe it!
The trail leading to the famous Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay statue in the heart of Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay is once again fully accessible following the completion of major stabilization work on the monument. Carried out under complex conditions in a remote environment, this large-scale project helped secure this iconic heritage site perched atop the mountain in Rivière-Éternité. Thanks to the collaboration of the partners involved, hikers can once again enjoy this legendary trail, which offers spectacular views over the fjord. The reopening marks the return of a must-see in Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay.
The Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien continues to reinvent itself to offer an experience that is ever more accessible, immersive and captivating! In addition to recently welcoming magnificent Arctic foxes, the zoo is taking another step forward with new developments designed to make the visit easier for everyone.
The redesign of the hill and the construction of a brand-new footbridge, developed in collaboration with Kéroul, will make the route smoother for people with reduced mobility, families with strollers and an aging population, without taking away any of the magic of the site and its vast natural spaces.
And that’s not all! Among the upcoming additions, visitors will soon be able to stroll through a freshly redesigned mini-farm, while the splash pad has been completely revamped to offer even more fun and discovery for families.
All the ingredients for unforgettable moments in the heart of boreal wildlife.
In August 2025, the Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay inaugurated its fully renovated Beluga Lookout, located in the Baie Sainte‑Marguerite sector. This observation and scientific research site offers an exceptional panorama over one of the beluga’s main resident areas, in the heart of the Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent.
The lookout is accessible via an easy three‑kilometre walking trail starting from the parking area. It features a viewing platform, an educational amphitheatre, and a scientific space dedicated to research. During the summer season, visitors can observe from shore groups mainly composed of females and young, moving about in their natural habitat.
The Window on Belugas interpretive activity enhances the visitor experience through immersive sound and visual elements that bring the world of this emblematic species to life.
In 2026, Chalets Baie Cascouia continues its expansion with the addition of a two-bedroom cottage and the opening, on June 15, of a fully accessible three-bedroom cottage, welcoming even more visitors in a warm and natural setting.
The guest experience will be at the heart of the upcoming improvements. A regenerative tourism approach, centered on people, will offer engaging activities such as open-fire cooking inspired by ancestral traditions, encouraging meaningful exchanges and showcasing the region’s rich heritage. The project also includes a transportation service for guests and their luggage, improvements to parking areas, and the addition of accessible facilities, including an adapted fire pit area and swing, ensuring a smoother, more inclusive and memorable stay.
In the heart of the historic Bassin district, the new hotel Château Cran Chaud offers a unique lodging experience in the former Sacré-Cœur presbytery. Guests will discover a refined establishment where heritage and contemporary design meet. This carefully restored heritage building features five Signature Suites and nineteen rooms, each designed to evoke a piece of local history while providing modern comfort.
Thanks to its prime location, the hotel also serves as an ideal starting point for exploring numerous attractions in the area, including the Pulperie de Chicoutimi, the bustling downtown, and the spectacular landscapes of the Saguenay Fjord and Valin Mountains. Inspired by the “cran,” a sunny slope once used by Indigenous communities to dry hides, the hotel’s name reflects the site’s history while asserting its distinctive character.
With its heritage charm and intimate atmosphere, Château Cran Chaud already stands out as a top choice for travelers seeking authenticity and refinement.
Malherbe presents Le Mikuan, offering the perfect balance between the comfort of a warm interior and the tranquility of nature. Drop off your bags, settle onto your terrace, and let yourself be carried away by the endless horizon, a moment suspended in time. Le Mikuan is ideal for solo travelers, couples, or families, as it comfortably accommodates up to four guests.
Beyond lodging, Malherbe is committed to promoting a sustainable and environmentally respectful lifestyle, inspired by the practices of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh (Innus of Pekuakami/Lac-Saint-Jean). Each stay is an invitation to slow down and (re)connect with nature.
Recently opened in the heart of Auberge des 21, a true institution in the La Baie district, Horizon is already establishing itself as a distinctive gastronomic destination in Quebec. Facing the Saguenay Fjord, the restaurant combines local flavors, culinary creativity, and attentive service in a bright setting where the view is an integral part of the experience.
At Horizon, the experience is simple and seamless.
On-site, guests can enjoy warm, panoramic moments in rooms overlooking the fjord.
For takeout, dishes maintain the same quality and care, perfect to savor at home or at the hotel.
Outdoors, Mars Park, located just across the street, offers the chance to enjoy a meal with the Saguenay as a breathtaking backdrop.
The restaurant’s commitments and certifications, including Fourchette Bleue and Aliments du Québec, naturally reflect its approach to cooking: rooted in the region, respectful of resources, and focused on the essentials.
After more than a year of research and development, Microbrewery Lion Bleu unveils BANG!, its brand-new gluten-free beer. A first in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, it is designed for both those with gluten intolerance and curious beer lovers eager to discover new flavors.
Brewed in Alma, BANG! is the result of extensive experimentation aimed at creating a beer that is accessible without compromising on taste. True to the creative spirit of the Lion Bleu team, this new release reflects the microbrewery’s commitment to innovation and expanding its offerings to meet evolving consumption trends.
Since its opening, Microbrewery Lion Bleu has earned a prominent place in the regional craft beer scene thanks to its original recipes and bold approach. With BANG!, it once again confirms its desire to push boundaries and offer distinctive products that highlight local craftsmanship.
This new beer is sure to get beer enthusiasts talking and could quickly become a must-try for anyone visiting the Lac-Saint-Jean area.
Le Village historique de Val-Jalbert is enriching its family offerings with a brand-new immersive experience for children aged 6–12, inspired by the production and railway transport of wood pulp in the 1920s.
Combining education, discovery, and modern technology, this bold installation invites kids to step back in time and become the architects of their own industrial adventure through the concept of free play.
Through recreated train cars modeled after the era, young visitors cross the boundaries of time via an immersive scenography that blends storytelling, free play, and current technologies. Designed as an industrial adventure where they are the protagonists, this installation promises a surprising sensory journey where curiosity, exploration, and imagination take the lead.
With this new experience, le Village historique de Val-Jalbert reaffirms its commitment to bringing history to life in a tangible, participatory, and delightfully playful way for today’s families.
The Québec Issime troupe is celebrating its 30th anniversary with the grand return of its iconic show De Céline Dion à la Bolduc, starting July 2026 in Saguenay. This new edition will be staged for the next decade at the Québec Issime Complex, located in the former Saint-Jacques Church in the Arvida district.
As the troupe’s founding production, the show traces the history of Quebecois music and highlights the richness of its repertoire. For this anniversary edition, audiences will discover refreshed numbers, immersive staging, and spectacular scenography, performed by both troupe members and emerging new talent.
To mark its entry into a fourth decade, Québec Issime also aims to strengthen its position as a major tourist attraction in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. The show will be offered in a dinner-theatre format, featuring a regional meal celebrating the traditional tourtière.
An official 30th-anniversary beer, brewed by La Voie Maltée, will complete the festivities.
The summer of 2026 marks a major moment at La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, with the opening of a new permanent exhibition and the presentation of a major temporary exhibition devoted to two influential figures in Quebec history.
As of June 23, 2026, visitors will be able to discover DUBUC – The King of Pulp, a brand-new permanent exhibition dedicated to Julien‑Édouard‑Alfred Dubuc, one of the principal founders of La Pulperie and a visionary entrepreneur whose legacy is still strongly felt in Saguenay. Through an immersive exhibition path, visitors are invited to meet a man driven by bold ambition: the desire to dream and shape an entire region. A multi-minute immersive projection presented right at the entrance sets the tone for an exhibition rich in emotion and discovery.
At the same time, from June 5, 2026, to January 31, 2027, La Pulperie will host the temporary exhibition René and Lévesque – How Did René Become Lévesque? Produced by the Musée de la civilisation, this tribute offers a captivating look into the life of René Lévesque through archival documents and previously unseen objects, some of which belonged to him. From childhood to iconic politician, including his years as a journalist and war correspondent, visitors discover a free-spirited, bold, and unconventional man who left a profound mark on Quebec history.
With these two complementary exhibitions, La Pulperie more than ever establishes itself as a must-visit site for understanding the key figures and defining moments that have shaped both the region and Quebec as a whole.
