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Imagine going to work without any traffic jams. Or being able to enjoy walks in nature just a few minutes from home, every day. In Saguenay, this reality could be yours. Living in Saguenay means having the opportunity to realize your full potential in an environment where everyday simplicity exists in perfect harmony with safety and well-being. Doesn’t that sound like the dream? Read our blog post to discover all the good reasons to choose Saguenay as your new home!
Four seasons, four times the fun!
Quebec experiences all four seasons throughout the year: winter, spring, summer and fall. Those from Saguenay appreciate the changing seasons: activities, the pace of life and clothes all vary! During the cold season, we sometimes see temperatures as low as -30 °C in winter, although winter averages hover around -15 °C.
When spring comes around and the weather warms up, the snow melts to give way to the exuberant greenery of summer. Temperatures can then rise to 30 °C.
Then in the fall, everything starts to cool down and the leaves on the trees change colour and become vibrant, creating magnificent pictures to admire!
Finally, the first snowflakes begin to fall in October, giving way to winter once again. Such is the cycle of the seasons! Fortunately, whether the thermometer indicates -30 °C or 30 °C, it’s never plate in Saguenay!
A snowy paradise. . .
Here in Saguenay, we’re not scared of the winter. As the saying goes in, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes! Fortunately, you’ll easily find what you need to outfit yourself with a good winter soute (snowsuit) in our shops. A little advice: buy your winter clothes in Quebec to be sure that they’re suitable for our winters! One thing is certain: the warmth of the locals will also warm your heart!
For fans of downhill skiing, snowboarding and ski touring, the Saguenay region has several ski resorts where you can hurtle down the slopes at full speed! What’s more, the Monts-Valin massif, home to Valinouët station, receives record amounts of natural snow. It’s the only ski resort in Quebec that has 100% natural snow!
To enjoy winter with your family, there’s nothing better than tubing! Sitting comfortably on a large rubber inner-tube, alone or holding your friend’s tube by the handle, you’ll go down the snowy slope at full speed. Fun guaranteed!
And don’t forget a must-do activity for children: creating snowmen! And there’s nothing better than beautiful “packing” snow for a perfect snowman! Beautiful what? Yep, several types of snow exist, but don’t worry: as the winters go by, the snowflakes will no longer keep any secrets from you!
. . .And ice!
Ice fishing is a unique experience in the region. Each winter, hundreds of small fishing cabins are set up on the frozen waters of the fjord, particularly in La Baie. That’s how the village on ice comes to life! The most patient people will try to catch the fish that bite their hook (smelt, redfish, turbot, Greenland halibut, Arctic cod), while the children will enjoy this vast playground!
You can also ice skate on one of the many indoor and outdoor ice rinks located throughout Saguenay. The Saint-Jacques Park rink (Jonquière), the Rosaire-Gauthier Park rink (Chicoutimi) and the Place du 150e rink (La Baie) are freely accessible during winter. There are even a few frozen lakes and rivers where you can skate.
Finally, it’s hard to miss Canada’s national winter sport: ice hockey. Whether on one of the 66 neighbourhood outdoor rinks, in one of the 10 arenas or during a wild Saguenéens de Chicoutimi match (a member’s club of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League), hockey ignites passion and brings generations together. GO Sags GO!
Culture for everyone
Saguenay has a vibrant cultural scene. No wonder the region is considered the 3rd largest cultural hub in Quebec!
Saguenay boasts three music schools, a symphony orchestra, six dance schools, eight museums and eco-museums, 13 performance halls and six libraries. Several areas of the city, including downtown Arvida, are home to heritage and historical buildings worth discovering. It’s hard not to find a cultural activity to suit your age and tastes!
We let loose during festival season
In summer, the streets of Saguenay come alive with many national and international festivals that are not to be missed.
Delight your taste buds at the Festival des vins, Festival des Bières du Monde or Festival des spiritueux. R’garde des vues at REGARD International Short Film Festival, attend breathtaking aerial demonstrations during the Bagotville Air Show and dance to the music of the Festival International des Rythmes du Monde, Jonquière en Musique and Festival Jazz et Blues!
A party, even in winter!
Urban life is filled with festivals and outdoor parties, even in winter. During the holidays, come discover the Saguenay European Market. A little later, in February, Saguenay en neige invites the whole family to enjoy the pleasures of winter with many activities such as sliding games, an ice sculpture competition and entertainment for children.
Explore the fjord
Did you know that the Fjord du Saguenay is the only navigable fjord in North America? 105 km in length, it offers a vast playground to climb, navigate and admire!
The fjord offers incredible views with walls reaching up to 350 m high. You can explore many trails, including the Eucher trail in La Baie, where you can take in the Baie des Ha! Ha! From above. The Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay also has several equally impressive capes.
During the summer, you’ll also have the opportunity to sail on the fjord, whether on a sea kayak excursion or on board the Fjord Marine Shuttles that connect Saguenay to Tadoussac. The shuttles make several stops in the small, picturesque villages that border the fjord. When on a cruise, you might also have the chance to see belugas!
Lastly, the Musée du Fjord will immerse you in the fantastic world of the Fjord du Saguenay and reveal its secrets and its history.
Come have fun in Saguenay!
With exhilarating cultural offerings, proximity to nature and a wide range of leisure activities, you won’t be bored for even a second in Saguenay. Look, it’s not complicated; there’s every reason to put Saguenay at the centre of your ambitions!
To find out more about tourist activities in Saguenay, visit: https://saguenayfjord.ca
À cause, are you still hesitating ? Fais pas simple, don’t be silly, choose Saguenay
