The cruise steamer Tadoussac in La Malbaie, 1946.
© Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent, Chamberland-Breton coll., cb555.
Imagine the scene when such a big vessel docked at the wharf in Pointe-au-Pic (now La Malbaie) or Tadoussac! In one fell swoop, over 500 passengers would disembark to visit the tourist attractions! In just a few minutes, the streets would be swarming with tourists, the shops would fill and the beach would squirm with children. Then, the ship’s horn would sound: That’s the signal! It’s time to go! The beach, the wharf and the village streets would return to their usual calm.