A Week in Saguenay: The Ideal Itinerary for Unforgettable Summer Vacations

Welcome to a majestic region where exceptional landscapes, living traditions, and refined comfort come together to offer you a rare escape. Saguenay, a true gem of Québec, is best discovered with leisure, curiosity, and a deep desire to reconnect with what matters. Here is a one‑week summer itinerary in Saguenay, conceived as an ode to disconnection, natural beauty, and the art of traveling with elegance, while staying at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, a high‑end hotel with exceptional service, the perfect starting point to explore the region.

Day 1 – Friday : Arrival and immersion in OTL comfort

Upon arrival in the evening, you enter a world where every detail is designed for your well‑being. OTL Gouverneur Saguenay welcomes you in a modern, warm setting with refined aesthetics. The rooms, equipped with cutting‑edge technology and top‑quality bedding, are true cocoons of rest. Here, you slow down, you breathe. Treat yourself to a moment at the hotel bar with signature cocktails, then savour a gourmet moment delivered to your room, all with the feeling of doing absolutely nothing. Luxury begins with the time we allow ourselves.

Day 2 – Saturday: Chicoutimi, the art of living and heritage

Start your Saguenay journey with a personalized breakfast at OTL, featuring fresh products, pastries, and made‑to‑order omelettes tailored to your desires. Then head out to explore Chicoutimi’s historic district: Rue Racine will charm you with its boutiques and gourmet spots. It's the ideal place to soak up local culture and discover unique finds.

In the afternoon, enjoy a historical interlude: La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, a fascinating museum housed in an old pulp mill, witness to Saguenay’s industrial revolution. Continue with a visit to La Petite Maison Blanche, symbol of resilience that survived the 1996 flood.

In the evening, awaken your palate at Boefish, the restaurant located within the hotel. Taste fish, seafood, and aged meats in a refined atmosphere where culinary art meets the pleasure of sharing. A genuine celebration of taste to launch your vacations in style.

Day 3 – Sunday: Immersion in the majesty of the fjord

The Fjord du Saguenay is a unique natural wonder in North America, with steep cliffs plunging into deep, mysterious waters. This morning, hike the Sentier de la Statue at Baie‑Éternité. This 6 km trail, rated intermediate to difficult, is scented with balsam fir and offers breathtaking panoramas, leading to the statue of Notre‑Dame‑du‑Saguenay watching over the fjord from its rocky perch. Note: dogs are permitted on this trail.

On the return, stop at L’Anse‑Saint‑Jean, a charming village clinging to the mountainside. Walk across the covered bridge, visit an artisanal bakery, and let yourself be seduced by the authenticity of this timeless place. The fjord is to be experienced as much as admired.

Day 4 – Monday: Cultural escapade and terroir delights

Today, head to the Village historique de Val‑Jalbert, one of Québec’s best‑preserved heritage sites. Step back into the 1920s in a village frozen in time at the foot of a vertiginous waterfall taller than Niagara Falls.

Continue to Parc du Trou de la Fée, a spectacular natural site featuring ziplines, footbridges, and natural caves that reconnect you with the earth. It’s a full sensory adventure awakening the soul of an explorer.

On the way back, a stop at Fromagerie Médard  in Saint‑Gédéon is a must, an iconic cheese route stop. Taste artisanal cheeses, including the famous raw‑milk “squick squick.” End with a visit to Microbrasserie du Lac Saint‑Jean, a friendly spot where hoppy flavours tell the region’s story.

Day 5 – Tuesday: Sainte‑Rose‑du‑Nord, fjord gem and water adventure

Head to Sainte‑Rose‑du‑Nord, one of Québec’s best‑kept secrets. This village nestled in a deep cove, surrounded by wooded mountains, offers idyllic fjord views. The calm is almost meditative. Stroll the wooden pier, observe sky reflections on the water, and let this timeless atmosphere envelop you.

To fully embrace this enchanting vibe, enjoy a water activity. Sea kayaking lets you gently approach the fjord’s cliffs in serene conditions. For a more contemplative experience, a guided cruise reveals the geological and human history of these grand landscapes. For an exceptional moment, take a seaplane flight to admire the fjord from the sky an unforgettable spectacle etched in memory.

Day 6 – Wednesday: Between adrenaline and soothing nature

Today, choose between two contrasting experiences: adrenaline lovers can try the via ferrata above the fjord, a suspended trail where cliffs become playgrounds. Safe, guided, and accessible, this activity places you at the heart of dramatic terrain, with views otherwise unreachable.

For a quieter day, enjoy a morning fishing session on the Rivière à Mars, only 25 minutes from OTL. A discreet spot favored by insiders. Between the soft river murmurs and the birdsong, each moment becomes one of mindful presence.

Day 7 – Thursday: A day of pure disconnection at the spa

After several days of discovery, treat yourself to a full wellness day. Located within OTL, PAŪS Spa Expérience offers a true thermal sanctuary. Hot‑cold Nordic baths, dry sauna, hammam, silent rest zones, and specialized body treatments create a deeply rejuvenating sensory journey.

Here, time slows. Water, steam, and eucalyptus aromas envelop you. You recentre, you breathe. Whether you choose a therapeutic massage or a high‑performance facial, this day celebrates body and mind.

Day 8 – Friday: Gentle bike adventure and fjord crossing

Today, enjoy a day that is both sporty and enriching. Hop on a bike and join the Véloroute des Bleuets, one of Québec’s most beautiful cycling routes. You can rent an STS bike at the Place du Royaume station just five minutes’ walk from OTL (pay‑per‑minute rates). Cycle about two hours through rolling landscapes toward Parc Aventure Cap Jaseux, offering preserved nature and sublime fjord views—perfect for a gourmet picnic.

After your break, board the maritime shuttle with your bike to cross the fjord to La Baie. The crossing offers spectacular views of cliffs and forested shores. From La Baie, return via the cycling route to the hotel (about an hour), your heart light and your eyes filled with grand images.

Day 9 – Saturday: Wild nature and grand spectacle

Head out early for a major outing in the Monts‑Valin, a hiker’s paradise in altitude. The Pic de la Tête de Chien trail leads to one of Québec’s finest viewpoints. Forested in dense boreal, the trail winds through natural lookouts before opening onto a stunning rocky ridge. Here, your gaze carries across vast valleys, lakes, and the immensity of the territory.

In the evening, let emotion take over at La Fabuleuse Histoire d’un Royaume, a production that celebrates Saguenay’s identity with flair: dozens of actors, horses, special effects, and music transport you across eras. A moment of pride and grandeur, a truly human fresco that moves the heart.

Day 10 – Sunday: Last moments of softness

Your stay draws to a close, but luxury endures until the final moments. Enjoy a refined breakfast at OTL Gouverneur Saguenay, with made‑to‑order hot dishes, crunchy pastries, and expertly sliced fruit.

Take a final dip in the indoor pool bathed in natural light, or savour a peaceful moment reading in your room, lulled by the serenity of the place. You leave with a full heart, a calm mind, awakened senses, and memories rich with meaningful moments. Saguenay has offered you more than a trip: an unforgettable immersion in authenticity, beauty, and refinement.