Lac-Saint-Jean

Lac-Saint-Jean is a large rural area composed of multiple small villages surrounding the lake of the same name. The lake and villages are to the west of Chicoutimi-Jonquière (and the Saguenay River) in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region of Quebec.

Understand
A geographically-isolated region, Lac-Saint-Jean is mostly francophone and known for its blueberries (the locals are known as "les bleuets"). Much of the area is agricultural land; weather permitting, blueberries are ready for harvest in mid-August.

Communities

 * Alma
 * Roberval
 * Desbiens
 * Métabetchouan–Lac-à-la-Croix
 * Dolbeau-Mistassini
 * Normandin
 * Saint-Félicien

Get in
By automobile, take Route 155 from Trois-Rivières to Chambord or Route 175 from Québec City (exit onto Route 169). From Chicoutimi-Jonquière, head west on Route 170 (south shore) or Route 172 (north shore).

By air, it is possible (but expensive) to fly into Bagotville (near Chicoutimi), then head west by road.

By bus

 * Operates the following routes to the area:
 * Between Chicoutimi and Dolbeau with stops in Jonquiere, Alma, and Val-Jalbert. Travel time from Chicoutimi to   Alma is 1.25 hours, to Val-Jalbert is 2.25 hours, and to Dolbeau is 3.75 hours.  Travel time to these destinations are about 40 minutes shorter from Jonquiere than from Chicoutimi.  Operates several days per week.
 * Between Dolbeau and Montreal including stops in Val-Jalbert, Alma, and Quebec City. Travel time from Montreal to Alma is 6.75 hours, to Val-Jalbert is 7.75 hours, and to Dolbeau is 9.25 hours. Travel time from Quebec City to Alma is 2.75 hours, to Val-Jalbert is 3.75 hours, and to Dolbeau is 5.25 hours.  Operates several days per week.

By car
The region as a ring around the lake is followed by Route 169, a circle route which branches off Route 175 (the main road from Quebec City to Chicoutimi) to enter the region at Hébertville. In counterclockwise order, the route goes through Alma, Péribonka, Mistassini, Saint-Félicien, Roberval, Val-Jalbert, Chambord, Métabetchouan and back to Hébertville and Saint-Gédeon. The full circle is 200 km (100 mi) in circumference.

By boat
There are marinas at various points on the lake, including Roberval and Alma. These are inherently seasonal on this cold, fresh-water lake.

By snowmobile
The Trans-Québec trail system covers the eastern portion of the region from Roberval through Alma to Mistassini; there are also local and regional trails which fill the remaining gaps. Snowmobile repair is available from dealers (Arctic Cat, Skidoo, Polaris) in Alma.

Blueberry farms
Blueberries are usually in season in mid to late August, weather permitting, with plenty of opportunities to pick your own berries.



Alma
Alma is the easternmost point in the region, where the lake drains into the Saguenay River.



Mistassini
Mistassini is at the far northwestern corner of the region.



Saint-Félicien
At the western edge of the lake, near the zoo.



South shore
Métabetchouan, Chambord and Roberval are on the south side of the lake, near the Val-Jalbert ghost town and the road to Trois-Rivières.



Go next

 * Chicoutimi-Jonquière
 * Chibougamau
 * Trois-Rivières