Statue of Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay

Perched high above the Saguenay River in Quebec, Canada, the Statue of Notre-Dame-du-Saguenay stands as a serene guardian, watching over the picturesque Saguenay Fjord. This monumental sculpture, representing the Virgin Mary, exudes a sense of tranquility and spiritual protection to the mariners and inhabitants of the region.

Cast in white pine and covered with lead, the statue reaches a height of 9 meters, making it a prominent landmark against the natural backdrop. It was erected in 1881, the brainchild of a local priest named Louis-Napoléon Bégin, who later became the Archbishop of Quebec. Bégin's vision was to create a symbol of hope and faith following a miraculous event in which Charles Napoleon Robitaille, a traveling salesman, was saved from icy waters through what he believed to be the intervention of the Virgin Mary.

The statue is accessible to visitors who can either hike up the trail or embark on a boat cruise along the Saguenay River for a closer view. Those who venture to the site are rewarded not only with the spiritual presence of the statue but also with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty.