Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Saguenay Fjord has played a major role in the lives of its people. First, it served as a natural trade route for the area's First Nations people. Then, in the 1600's, France established its first fur trading post and colonized. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, logging, pulp and paper industries, and aluminum production flourished. But through the years, the area has resumed a quiet life, which you can witness during an all-day tour that takes you to the century-old town of Val-Jalbert.

From the pier you'll travel a scenic route through the flourishing countryside to the town of Chicoutimi, dating back to the late 1600s. Set on the Saguenay and the Chicoutimi rivers, the name Chicoutimi means "the end of the deep water" in the native Innu language. Those prophetic words were realized in 1996 when the Chicoutimi River overflowed its banks and flooded a majority of the region. Most buildings were lost but one home, safely perched atop a concrete base, survived the destruction in the heart of the city, you'll see the famous Little White House, renowned as a symbol of the city's resistance, courage and determination. Preserved as a historical park, an adjacent museum commemorates the flood, photo stop from the bus.

Another photo stop awaits you at the Pulp Mill of Chicoutimi. Listed on the Canadian Register as a National Historic Site, the mill is located along the Chicoutimi River. Founded in 1896, the Mill was the largest producer of mechanical wood pulp in Canada by 1910. The Mill closed in 1930 and the spacious and well preserved stone buildings still stand as a testament to a by-gone era when pulp was king.

Then, you'll continue on to Val-Jalbert Historical Village for an entertaining and informative tour of the town known as "the best-preserved ghost town in Canada." The village was founded in 1901 and soon saw success in the local pulp mill but when it was abruptly closed in 1927, the entire village was deserted. Once you disembark, a trolley bus that will drive you along tree-shaded streets lined with original period buildings including a convent school and a general store. Characters in period clothes will greet you as you make your way through and grant you a glimpse into the past.

By now, you've probably worked up an appetite so you'll head to a local restaurant for a delicious lunch. After your meal, you'll have some free time to discover Val-Jalbert on your own. You can take the cable car that takes you to the top of Ouiatchouan Falls where you'll be rewarded with outstanding views of Lac Saint-Jean, watch the immersive experience multimedia show in the Grinder Room or just explore the buildings and soak up the history.

You'll then reboard your vehicle and return to the pier.