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To discover all the Charlevoix and Tadoussac regions have to offer, consult our What to do in the region section where you’ll find a long list of activities and events not to be missed and places to explore.
What to do in the region
What to do in the region
Charlevoix region
Nature and culture in perfect harmony
Less than one hour from Quebec City, between the mountains and the sea, the Charlevoix area is a dream destination for any lover of the outdoors. In 1989 Charlevoix was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. With three national parks, one of the best coastlines on earth to see marine life, and spectacular flora and fauna, this region is an absolutely one-of-a-kind tourist destination.
Year round, artists, musicians, writers and painters have been inspired by the beauty of its landscapes. Worthy of note, the painters of the Group of Seven were accustomed to staying at Baie-St-Paul, a town with enormous charm nestled deep inside a picturesque valley.
Whether in the vicinity of La Malbaie, by the river or in the mountains, you’ll be seduced by the area’s quaint villages and welcoming atmosphere.
An inviting array of gastronomic possibilities
Charlevoix is renowned for its gastronomy and its sophisticated inns with their tempting menus, including fine cheeses, duck foie gras, smoked salmon, medaillons of emu and other regional specialities.
Activities and events
Golf, hiking, sea kayaking, canyoning, whale watching, downhill skiing, museums and ecomuseums, nature centres – there is no end of exciting things to do in the area.
Not to be missed
Groupe Dufour whale watching
Add a healthy pinch of sea salt to your vacation diet! A whale watching tour aboard a Groupe Dufour vessel out of Baie Ste-Catherine, Quebec City or Tadoussac is an experience you will remember for a lifetime. Not only will you see whales, you will learn volumes about their fascinating marine environment! Find out more
Domaine Forget
Domaine Forget is celebrating 30 years in business. This summer, classical music lovers are invited to enjoy more than 60 musical performances here. Visit the Website.
To learn more about activities and events in the Charlevoix region, visit the Charlevoix Tourism site.
Isle-aux-Coudres
Why not make a small detour by way of Isle-aux-Coudres via the ferry at St-Joseph-de-la-Rive. It’s only a 15-minute crossing and it’s really worth the effort.
Pedneault Orchards and Cidre House
The Pedneaults planted their first fruit trees on their ancestral isalnd of Isle-aux-Coudres in 1918. Since then, the familybusiness has seen a lot of changes during its incessant expansion. Visit the Website
Cycling with Vélo-Coudres
Isle-aux-Coudres is a cyclist’s paradise. Offering 4-wheeled bicycles built for 2, 4 and even 6 riders, bike trailers for the kids and much more, Vélo-Coudres definitely lives up to the island’s reputation. Visit the Website
Les Moulins de l’Isle-aux-Coudres
This exceptional site, member of the Ecomuseum network, is worth the detour. In a single location you’ll see a water mill, windmill and miller’s residence. Learn how wheat and buckwheat were once ground with real stone wheels. Choose a guided tour or explore the site on your own. There’s a brand new educational workshop called "Le moulin à science", a permanent exhibition of the works of master woodcarver Alfred Desgagnés, and a film and documentation room delving into the rites and customs of the islanders. An absolute must! Visit the Website
Charlotte! workshop & store
These min-collections of clothing for men, women and children will charm you with their colourful styles, their sense of current fashion and their sheer whimsy. The workshop and store and “petite Place d'art” or mini-gallery acts as a point of sale for thirty or so well-known regional artisans like Jimmy Perron, Martin Brisson and Julie Miville. Visit the Website
Tadoussac region
A wealth of history
The picturesque village of Tadoussac is home to one of the earliest chapters in Quebec’s historical legacy. Perched on the side of wooded slopes along a bay, the village owes its charm to its quaint wooden homes and stunning natural beauty. The location is so inviting that, in 1998, the bay of Tadoussac was named one of the most beautiful in the world. What’s more, users of the TripAdvisor Website named Tadoussac one of the best destinations in Canada.
Whale watching and the rugged beauty of the glacial fjord on the Saguenay river draw more than 300,000 visitors a year to this tiny village with fewer than 1000 residents. Don’t miss the oldest wooden chapel still in existence in Canada.
Things to do
Whale watching
You just can’t visit Tadoussac without going whale watching! Groupe Dufour offers a number of excursions that get you up close to these mysterious cetaceans...with some luck, in no time at all you’ll be seeing finbacks and blue whales! Find out more
On the beach
Right in the village you can use Tadoussac’s fine-sand beach for safe bathing under the summer sun. Evenings, keep an eye on the port: whales often come right in close to shore. At the marina you’ll find all the services you need for your journey on the St.-Lawrence or up the Saguenay Fjord.
Tadoussac Marina
100 rue bord de l’eau
418 235-4585
Tadoussac Golf Club
Owned by Groupe Dufour, Tadoussac Golf Club is one of the oldest golf clubs in the Quebec countryside. It’s 9-hole, par 33 course, lovely location, convivial clubhouse atmosphere and warm, inviting ambience are all the reasons you need to stop by for a round.
This location is available for special events. It accommodates up to 60 persons for banquet-style dining.
For three years, the Groupe Dufour course has been host and organizer of an annual tournament benefiting the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. This summer, the event was held on July 25th. It will be back next year. So, to do some good while you have some fun, contact the club director. She will be pleased to welcome your participation in this very important event.
367, rue des Pionniers
Tadoussac, Qc. G0T 2A0
Telephone: 418-235-4306
Bicycles and tandems
To explore the area on two wheels, the Maison Clauphie in Tadoussac provides a bike rental service.
Telephone: 418 235-4303
Sport fishing
Fishing is an attraction in the Saguenay-Saint-Laurent Marine Park, the ZEC (Zone d'exploitation contrôlée) on the Sainte-Marie River and with many nearby outfitters. Only a short drive away, the ZEC de la rivière Sainte-Marguerite is renowned for its Atlantic Salmon fishing. Visit the Website.
Diving
Les Escoumins, near Tadoussac, is well known as one of the finest diving destinations in the world. The river bed plunges 300 metreshere! Visit the Website.
Sea bikes
You can also rent sea bikes at the Marina.
Telephone: 418-235-4585
Visit the Website.
Hiking, canyoning
The Tadoussac area is home to several national and provincial parks, like parc marin du Saguenay-Saint-Laurent and the parc national du Saguenay. These are wonderful places for all kinds of outdoor activities and the chance to discover the region’s exceptional array of flora and fauna.
Sea kayaking
Go on a sea kayaking tour on the Saguenay Fjord and see the stunning scenery, varied marine life and diverse vegetation perched precariously on the towering cliff faces. Seasoned guides from Mer et Monde will help your experience be safe and memorable. Visit the Website
Climbing
Looking for a bigger adrenaline rush? Climb the pallisades at Saint-Simeon village, just 30 minutes from Tadoussac. The Les Palissades adventure centre is a natural gem in mountains unique to North America. The experts at RocGym are waiting for you! Visit the Website
Also check out Canada’s highest sand dunes, just a few kilometres from the village.
Events
Tadoussac Song Festival (June 10 to 14, 2010)
Come sing and dance at the Tadoussac Song Festival, one of the biggest musical events in Quebec outside Montreal and Quebec City. Visit the Website
Numerous cafés and restaurants in the village and surrounding areas also host a number of shows and concerts, especially in summer.
Du vent dans les toiles (September 10 to 12, 2010)
For a splash of local colour, vist the Hôtel Tadoussac where painters display their wares. Visit the Website.
