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Whale watching and nature enjoyment in Tadoussac
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The village of Tadoussac in Canada’s Quebec province is a small settlement on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Primarily known for its whale-spotting opportunities, Tadoussac is an extremely outdoor focused destination and despite its size, one of the most popular places in all of Quebec. This historic town sees a considerable fluctuation in tourist numbers between seasons, however a trip here in the off-season presents an opportunity to enjoy the tranquillity of the surroundings and personal nature of the locals.
Just a few hours from Quebec City
Tadoussac is located just a few hundred kilometres northeast of Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence River and at the mouth of the Saguenay. This location ensures it is possible to day trip to the village from the provincial capital city, however much of Tadoussac’s charm lies in its surrounding nature and peaceful atmosphere. As a result, many visitors choose to stay a few days or longer and there are a host of hotels in Tadoussac to accommodate them. Indeed, for a village with such a small permanent population, there is a surprising variation of accommodation options, from large grand colonial properties to small motels and campgrounds. Most of these Tadoussac hotels are located close to the waterfront and the ferry which links Highway 138 to Baie-Ste-Catherine and on to Quebec City, thus providing further convenience to guests. Aside from private transport, there are also daily buses to and from Quebec City, where visitors can transit on to further destinations or to the capital’s international airport.
An established tourist destination
The village has a long history, dating back to the turn of the seventeenth century when it was first settled by the French Royal Navy. Its strategic location at the point of the two rivers ensured it was a continuing focus for the colonialists, but in addition a variety of wealthy Quebec residents began to build holiday homes here in the late nineteenth century. Thus, Tadoussac has long been a vacation destination and tourism continues to be the main industry in the town today. The main street of the village is Rue des Pionniers which connects to the highway and then runs close to the shoreline and Tadoussac Bay. This strip is where the majority of commercial activity is housed, with several small restaurants and shops serving the local community as well as the visitors. Many of the smaller, older hotels Tadoussac is home to are found along Rue des Pionniers as well, ensuring most of the central village is easily within walking distance.
Leaving the shore for the delights of the river
As previously mentioned, the prime reason for tourists heading to Tadoussac is for the renowned whale watching opportunities. There are a multitude of tour operators offering boat trips out onto the St. Lawrence River, where in the summer months there can often be several whales observed in a single trip. Indeed, the area on the two rivers is a protected site known as the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and was the first national park in Quebec to concentrate solely on marine life. Most tours leave from the marina at the end of Tadoussac Bay which is less than a ten-minute walk from any hotel in the village centre. Smaller whales can also be observed from Tadoussac shoreline and thus there are usually a multitude of nature enthusiasts to be found observing the natural wonders directly from the village and bay. Aside from the natural wildlife, there are also a variety of other water-based activities on offer, such as sea kayaking and surf-biking, which are particularly popular with families.
Important and insightful sites on land
On land, there are also an array of things to do and see in and around Tadoussac. The historic Old Tadoussac Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to the mid eighteenth century. Overlooking the bay, it is one of the most picturesque scenes in Tadoussac and most visitors pass by to photograph it and enjoy the surrounding views. Further around the bay lies the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre, a local museum detailing the history of whales in the region as well as a host of interactive activities and exhibits. Thanks to the small size of the village, it is also extremely easy to begin hikes and excursions on foot directly from any Tadoussac hotel. Therefore, guests can quickly access tranquillity and natural silence, a welcome escape for visitors from Quebec City.