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.
Enroll with Confidence
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more
Protecting the Environment
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more
Program
At a Glance
Duration
7 days
Program Begins
Quebec City, Québec
Program Concludes
Quebec City, Québec
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
16 (
6B, 5L, 5D
)
Activity Level
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.
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.
Don Belec
Don Belec has gone from teaching to student-life animation and administration, from selling education-rated products to fund-raising and marketing and much more during his nearly fifty-year career. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to work and travel in Asia, explore parts of Australia and visit 95% of Canada’s expansive regions. He looks forward to engaging with new people as they explore the diversity of Quebec and fully appreciate its contribution to Canada and beyond.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Conny Fricke
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
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
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
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.
Routes Adventures Mobile Phone
Please call the toll free line at 1-866-745-1690 during regular business hours or for non-urgent matters (Mon - Fri 8:30 - 4:30 EST). The mobile phone #1-613-331-5777 is for after hours and weekends for emergency use only. The phone is carried by a staff member.
Steeve Gaudreault
Steeve Gauderault has been an active group leader since 1990, which has taken him all over North America. He is a master storyteller and loves to help people experience the sites and beautiful cities more fully by sharing the history of the people from the region. Steeve studied philosophy and sociology at Glendon College. He is an educator at heart, a high school teacher since the pandemic, and currently resides just outside Quebec City.
Jane Chambers Evans
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.
Fabien Bouchard
Fabien Bouchard has worked as an English teacher for over three decades, with his retirement planned for 2025. Most of his career has been with the Department of National Defense in Valcartier, Québec, teaching military members preparing for deployment. Fabien, who has two adult daughters, has been an active runner at the national and international levels since he was a teenager. He is also an avid fan of hiking, having trekked around the French Alps, Pyrenees, and Canadian Rockies.
Éloi Bérubé
Éloi Bérubé arrived in the Côte-Nord region in 2021 and made it his permanent home a year later. With a Ph.D. in anthropology from McMaster University and a B.A. in archaeology from Université Laval, his research has spanned both Mexico and Québec. Éloi is actively involved in regional initiatives as a member of the Société d'histoire de la Côte-Nord by preserving elements of Québec’s North Shore heritage and participates in research funding projects like À la Mer du Nord.
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
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(5 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
