Tadoussac and the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park

Tadoussac's geographical location at the confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the Saint Lawrence Estuary makes it an exceptional observation site where marine mammals naturally congregate, attracted by nutrient-rich waters created by the mixing of river and ocean currents. The village, whose origins trace back to a French fur trading post established at the turn of the 17th century, is today recognized by the Association of Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec and serves as the vital hub of the Saguenay–Saint Lawrence Marine Park, a protected marine area that also encompasses the nearby municipalities of Les Bergeronnes and Escoumins. Without even venturing onto the water, visitors can observe belugas and minke whales from the shore at recognized sites such as Pointe-de-l'Islet or from the top of Tadoussac's sand dunes, as well as at the mouth of the Sainte-Marguerite River in the nearby Fjord-du-Saguenay National Park. The Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre (CIMM), managed by the Research and Education Group on Marine Mammals, welcomes over 35,000 visitors annually to explore one of Canada's most extensive collections of whale skeletons, making it the most visited museum on the entire North Shore. Numerous certified operators offer Zodiac and more comfortable boat excursions departing from the village dock, providing opportunities to spot up to thirteen cetacean species between May and October, while the beluga remains a permanent resident of the estuary.