Crédit: Yves Laframboise
The Jewel of the Saguenay Fjord.
Sainte-Rose-du-Nord, with a population of 500, was once known as “La descente des femmes” (according to an Indigenous anecdote). It hides modestly on the edge of the Saguenay Fjord, nestled in a small, secluded valley away from the main road.
The village is surrounded by wooded mountains and cliffs that offer exceptional and easily accessible views of the fjord and the village. This fragile site should be approached with delicacy and respect.
The houses seem to blend with the landscape, as if they were brought down by an avalanche, creating a charming little disorder. From Rue de la Montagne, you can access the trails leading to the Platform, which offers an extraordinary panorama: the agricultural valley, the winding road, the village, the line of cliffs, and the Saguenay Fjord stretching for dozens of kilometers.
From the heart of the village, you can also descend to the quay for a cruise or head east on Chemin de la Descente-des-Femmes, which leads to the cove of the same name.
Finally, Cap-au-Leste has become a favored retreat for French visitors seeking a change of scenery over the past decade. The film Le bonheur de Pierre by Pierre Richard has contributed to the village’s international fame.
