Québec
Whales, Fjords and French Canada: Saguenay and the St. Lawrence
Program No. 12684RJ
Enjoy expert presentations and thrilling excursions as you learn about whales, fjords, historical architecture and Québecois culture on this journey to the heart of French Canada.
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7 days
6 nights
16 meals
6B 5L 5D
1
Check-in, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City, Québec
2
Québec History & Exploration, Montmorency Falls
Tadoussac, Quebec
3
Tadoussac History, Whale Safari
Tadoussac, Quebec
4
Archeo-Topo, Marine Discovery Centre, Cap-de-Bon-Desir
Tadoussac, Quebec
5
Whale Research Station (CIMM Museum), Whale Safari
Tadoussac, Quebec
6
Heritage Mill, Maritime Museum, Québec City
Quebec City, Québec
7
Program Concludes
Quebec City, Québec
At a Glance
From beluga, humpback, minke, fin and perhaps sperm whales, discover the rich cetacean diversity in the St. Lawrence River, fueled by the upwelling of krill near Saguenay Fjord while never far from shore. Drive through the remnants of a 350-million-year-old meteorite crater and experience the quaint charm in the cultural and historical heart of French Canada set in rural Tadoussac. Discover Québec City as you explore its vibrant culture, historical architecture and European charm.
Activity Level
On Your Feet
Walks up to two miles; boarding and disembarking boats; periods of standing at museums and outdoor observation platforms.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Learn about whale behavior and identification at the whale research station from local experts.
- Enjoy numerous chances to view whales in one of the richest and most diverse cetacean feeding grounds in Canada’s first and largest marine sanctuary.
- Immerse yourself in Québecois culture and discover the artistry, old cities and farming villages.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
Marie Legroulx
Marie is an eleventh-generation Quebecoise whose ancestors settled on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in the mid-17th century. She has a BA in history and an MA in Quebec literature from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Marie draws on both fields in her Road Scholar learning adventures as well as within her life more broadly. She taught French and Quebec literature for 25 years at the university level. Marie has been leading groups in Quebec City and the surrounding area since 2008.
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Conny Fricke
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Conny Fricke was born in Germany, where she completed her secretarial studies in four different languages. She soon discovered the joys of exploring the world with her family and has lived in Mexico, the U.S. and Canada before finally settling in Québec in 2010, near the St. Lawrence River. Conny loves sharing her passion for the St. Lawrence River and cultural richness of Québec. She enjoys the outdoors and staying active by kayaking, sailing, biking, skiing and spending time with friends and family.
Clarisse Fréchette
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Clarisse Frechette’s family arrived in Québec back in 1677 as shipbuilders. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology and worked as a research agent for Québec’s Department of Education before taking on the role of a field manager for Statistics Quebec. Becoming an educational interpreter was second nature for Clarisse, with her love of history and certainly her love of Québec! She has explored the old streets of Québec for over 20 years. It is always her pleasure to help people discover this area.
Marie Legroulx
View biography
Marie is an eleventh-generation Quebecoise whose ancestors settled on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in the mid-17th century. She has a BA in history and an MA in Quebec literature from Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Marie draws on both fields in her Road Scholar learning adventures as well as within her life more broadly. She taught French and Quebec literature for 25 years at the university level. Marie has been leading groups in Quebec City and the surrounding area since 2008.
Francois Vidal
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François Vidal was born in Québec City, where he spent years studying theatre and travel. He frequently combines his education with his love for Québec City and its rich history, performing in numerous educational theatrical productions. François has been an educational interpreter in Québec City since 2009 and is well-known for his personification of historical figures including a recent production in which he portrayed General Montcalm from the French-Indian War. François displays a keen interest in the architecture, culture and lifestyle in Québec City.
Jane Chambers Evans
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Jane Chambers Evans is a proud member of a small Anglophone community with deep roots in Tadoussac, tracing its ancestry back to the 1860s. Since retiring with her husband in 2014, Jane has remained deeply connected to her heritage and the pivotal role her community has played in Tadoussac's development. With a distinguished 40-year career in healthcare, Jane now serves as a municipal councilor in Tadoussac, a village of 800 residents. Her engagement offers her a unique perspective on Tadoussac’s rich history, geography, and culture.
Suggested Reading List
(5 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Whales, Fjords and French Canada: Saguenay and the St. Lawrence
Program Number: 12684
Wolfe at Quebec, The Man Who Won the French and Indian War
A history of British General James Wolfe's last year of life by the entertaining and informative author of "The Story of England." Hibbert traces the neurotic general's life through diaries, letters, ships' logs and firsthand accounts, painting an interesting portrait of the man who defeated French General Montcalm at Quebec.
Canada and Quebec: One Country, Two Histories
An in-depth look at Canada-Quebec relations through interviews with prominent Canadian figures.
Tadoussac : The Sands of Summer: Memories, Stories, Legends
Explore a captivating collection of vintage and rare books for sale, each page echoing the whispers of bygone eras and offering a unique glimpse into literary treasures of the past.
The St. Lawrence River (Rivers in World History)
A major North American river, the St. Lawrence river is the chief outlet for shipping on the Great Lakes. It also forms 120 miles of the United States-Canadian border.
Encyclopedia of Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises
Award-winning author and whale researcher Erich Hoyt takes readers into the field for an intimate encounter with 93 species of cetaceans that make their homes in the world's oceans, rivers and lakes. Drawing on decades of firsthand experience and a comprehensive familiarity with the current revolution in cetacean studies, Hoyt provides unique insights into the life histories of whales.