The tourism advisors at the Maria-Chapdelaine RCM share their top picks

Top picks : Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean, Albanel.

The Marie-Chapdelaine RCM is brimming with attractions, each more fascinating than the last, but our absolute favorite is undoubtedly Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean. This family-owned business focuses its workforce and operations on the blueberry industry, a powerful economic driver in the RCM.

The company expanded following its successful appearance on the TV show Dans l’œil du Dragon and is now a must-visit destination in the region. During your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to sample the company’s products and learn more about the blueberry harvesting process. The jam makers will also explain how blueberries are transformed into a variety of their own unique products. This product line ranges from traditional jam to blueberry barbecue sauce, as well as butter and spreads.

At Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean, traditional expertise blends with modern know-how, as the blueberry season kicks off—around late July—with family-run picking. Once the blueberries are in season, Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean offers visitors the chance to pick their own berries at its tourist blueberry farm. This activity is very popular with visitors, who often plan their vacations to Lac-Saint-Jean specifically to pick blueberries.

In short, this business—which is part of the Économusée du Québec network—has everything it takes to appeal to tourists, in addition to enjoying the unwavering support of the local community. In our opinion, it is therefore a must-see during a visit to Lac-Saint-Jean, especially for visitors who enjoy agritourism and local flavors.

For more information : https://delicesdulac.com/

Top pick Outside the MRC: Cristal du Lac, Métabetchouan-Lac-à-la-Croix

This unique business really won us over during the themed tour organized by Tourisme Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The activity stands out from the rest because it’s the only one around Lac Saint-Jean that focuses on quartz crystals. The presence of this resource in the region is little known not only to visitors but also to the local population.

The activity appeals to both young and old. In fact, the site offers a tour of the open-pit deposit, where visitors can pick their own crystals and learn more about their geological composition. Friendly and experienced guides are on hand to lead the tour and share their passion with visitors.

For younger visitors, the “Prospection-Express” activity is perfect: visitors take a bag of sand and sift it in the stream provided on-site to collect all kinds of crystals. Visitors can then sit at the picnic tables with the guides so they can explain what they’ve collected. They can make jewelry with their crystals or even pearls, extracted directly from oysters by an oyster shucker.

The site also features an exhibition hall displaying geodes and works created by the company’s owners. The guides provide commentary on these works and present a more scientific slideshow to visitors. Cristal du Lac is a tourist attraction that has something for visitors of all ages. This attraction is a must-see in the Lac-Saint-Jean Est RCM due to the variety of activities available on-site and the passion of the owners.

For more information : https://cristaldulac.com/