SAGUENAY – LAC-SAINT-JEAN QUEBEC
ATTRACTIONS, HOTELS AND EVENTS

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Here are some of the new things to do and places to stay in the Saguenay — Lac-Saint-Jean region, 210 kilometres northeast of Quebec City:

New bicycle trails near Lac-Saint-Jean

A new guide offers detailed maps and route suggestions for the Véloroute des Bleuets. The cycling path, which circles Lake Saint-Jean, has added another 47 kilometres of trails. Cyclists usually explore the 272-kilometre bike trail over four to five days.

Two kilometres of the new bicycle path are near Dam-en-terre in the Alma sector, a scenic holiday centre at the southern end of Lac-Saint-Jean. The other 45 kilometres of new cycling trails are between Albanel and Girardville, at the northern end of the lake. Cyclists pedal past blueberry fields, lush forest and cascading waterfalls.

Saint-Félicien Zoo Sauvage and Hotel du Jardin additions

Sixteen macaque monkeys from Japan will move into a specially designed open concept habitat in the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien this year. The zoo is also adding a new water fun area to their Zoom Nature section and expanding the Little Farm petting zoo.

Located near the Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien and the Véloroute des Bleuets, Hôtel du Jardin of Saint Félicien is opening a new discotheque, with giant screen TVs and the latest disco technology this spring. The hotel is also creating an 800-seat showroom with a mezzanine and stage for dinner theatre and other live performances.

Treetop ziplines, rope courses and swings

Centre Aventure et D'Arbre en Arbre, in Saint-Félicien, offers year-round family adventures and annual Quebec cross-country biking competitions. The D'Arbre en Arbre treetop ropes course is a series of wild jumps, ladders, ziplines, bridges, Tarzan ropes, balance beams, swings and surfs. KidAventure is a smaller ropes course for young kids.

During the summer, the centre offers camping, hiking and 70 kilometres of cross-country biking trails. During the winter, the trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Saint Anthony's Hermitage 100th anniversary celebrations

Located on the shores of Lake Ouiatchouan, Saint Anthony's Hermitage of Lake Bouchette is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special events this year. The hermitage is a pilgrimage site that honours Saint Anthony and Our Lady of Lourdes. Thousands of pilgrims visit the hermitage annually and walk its peaceful forested trails. The Hotel de la Grotte offers comfortable accommodations for visitors to the hermitage.

Odyssée Boréale fly-in fishing, golfing, bird-watching

Accessible only by seaplane, Odyssée Boréale offers fly-fishing, hiking, golfing, archery, bird-watching and star gazing in the boreal forest. Fully equipped for business gatherings, its luxurious chalets and fine cuisine attract corporate meetings as well as nature-loving vacationers.

New hotels, inns and chalets near Saguenay

Parc National des Monts Valin has built three new chalets on the shores of the Bras des canots River. The fully-equipped chalets have screened-in front porches and easy access to the park's services and activities. Visitors can rent the chalets year-round.

Besides log cabins on the cliffs of the Saguenay Fjord, Cap au Leste now offers a comfortable chalet on the shores of a peaceful lake. The chalet is perfect for families or couples wanting a romantic getaway.

Hôtel Le Montagnais in Chicoutimi has recently renovated 108 rooms with new furniture and artwork by local artists, Armand Bergeron and Raynald Simard.

The Holiday Inn Saguenay — Congress Centre is renovating 155 rooms and suites with new bed linens and duvets, mirrored closet doors, an extra telephone, marble bathroom counters and a new sprinkler system. The business centre will be completely updated.

Site de la Nouvelle-France 15th anniversary celebrations

Winner of a gold medal at the Grand Prix de Tourisme de Québec in 2006, the Site de la Nouvelle-France allows visitors to experience life in New France during the 17th century. A live equestrian performance provides a thrilling and educational history of the Canadian horse.

Visitors discover the Huron Village, the Cent Associés farm and a reconstruction of Quebec City's Upper and Lower Town. Colourful characters bring this fascinating open-air museum to life.

Kayaking, camping and outdoor tours

Located on one of the most beautiful bays in the world, Hôtel Tadoussac now offers sea kayak excursion packages. Participants paddle into the Saguenay Fjord for incredible scenery and beluga whale-watching.

Parc national du Saguenay has a new camping package that includes all the equipment you need: a camping site, tent-trailer, cook stove, shelter, dishes, pots and pans. Campers bring only sleeping bags and food.

The Ferme 5 étoiles will offer new evening guided tours and commentary on the life of Canada's national mascot, the beaver. Visitors learn about beavers and their habitat as they walk around the lake on the farm.

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More things to see and do in Quebec:

Jean Paul Riopelle and The Bistro à Champlain Connection

Quebec's Casino Restaurants

Canada's Romantic Quebec City

Château Beauvallon in Mont-Tremblant, Quebec

Tubing at Mont Avila Near Saint-Sauveur Quebec's Ski Slopes

Sugar Shacks, Chocolate Shops, Tea Rooms and Unusual Restaurants in Montreal

Golf Quebec – New Website Guide

Saguenay – Lac-Saint-Jean: www.saguenaylacsaintjean.net

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