Tadoussac, Quebec Cruise Port

The port town of Tadoussac, Quebec sits where the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers meet. The indigenous Innu people originally named it Totouskak which translates to “bosom” and may have been a reference to the pair of sandy hills on the village’s western side. This precise location became the first trading post set up by the French when they first landed in Canada and it remains one of the oldest surviving settlements. The village acts as the northeastern post for the Baie-Ste-Catherine-Tadoussac ferry route, which offers free and convenient travel up and down the Saguenay River. The amazing views and stunning Saguenay fjord bring in tourists from all over who love seeing the amazing extent of raw nature. Whale watching is also a common pastime in the region with many specialized facilities set up for just that purpose. Blue whales, the world’s largest animal, can be observed further down the Saint Lawrence River.

• If chartering a whale watch isn’t for you, a brisk jog along the Sentier de la Pointe-de-l’Islet Trail early in the morning should take you along a path that will see numerous whales emerging from the water.
   
• The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre offers a number of interactive exhibits and a friendly, knowledgeable staff that will guide you through the ins and outs of marine life.
   
• See old relics and inscriptions behind the altar at the Petite Chapelle de Tadoussac. This old, small church has stood for years and acts as a quaint stop during town exploration.
   
• La Maison des Dunes is a tucked away gemstone slightly beyond the village. Many birds fly and rest among the dunes and it’s also a scenic and peaceful place for hikes and strolls.