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| Alexandra
Bridge 1 |
On January 1, 2002 Gatineau was created by combining
the municipalities of Alymer, Buckingham, Gatineau, Hull and Masson-Angers.
As of 2003, over 230,000 people live and work here making it the fifth largest
city in Quebec. Although the entire area is now called Gatineau these municipalities
are still referred to as individual districts within the city.
This bustling metropolis is an interesting collision of two Canadian cultures
offering both the energy of a large city and the quiet escape of nature. Boasting
12 national museums and numerous city events, such as the Le Grand Rire de Gatineau
and Winterlude, as well as the scenic Gatineau
Park, this city has a little bit of everything for the visitor. Outdoor
enthusiasts will enjoy the close proximity of the Aylmer district, which is
home to amazing recreational activities such as numerous golf courses, spas
and biking trails. Those looking for a more urban experience can explore the
city's shops, unique museums, Parliament and the historic buildings in downtown
Gatineau, referred to as Hull.
Mixing French sophistication—this is the largest French-speaking area in the
National Capital Region—with the business of the nearby capital, Gatineau invites
people to learn more about the intertwining cultures found within the area.
This WorldWeb.com Travel Guide article can
help travellers with their accommodation choice with three important information
sources:
1. Accommodation
Directory - This is a complete Gatineau accommodation directory containing
detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and
more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory
is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their personal
preferences.
2. Secure
Room Reservations - Check for Gatineau room availability and then make
secure online room reservations for participating properties with this convenient
link.
3. Maps
- The Gatineau map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only
indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation
to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.
ORIENTATION
Gatineau is located directly across from Ottawa,
on the Ottawa River, in the southern part of Québec
known as the Outaouais region.
Most of the city's main highways lead to downtown Ottawa where one can connect
to HWY 417. Unfortunately, Gatineau does not have a major highway connecting
it to Montreal.
Roads
Route 5 connects downtown Gatineau, known as the Hull district, to Gatineau
Park and provides access to the MacDonald-Cartier Bridge leading to Ottawa.
Route 50 runs from the east of Gatineau to the north of Thruso and is currently
being expanded to link the Outaouais region to the Greater Montreal area. Completion
is expected in 2010. Boulevard des Allumetières connects the Hull and
Aylmer districts within the city.
ACCESS/TRANSPORTATION
Getting there
Proximity to Ottawa makes getting to Gatineau very easy and visitors have quite
a few options to choose from. Located 1.9 km (1 mi) from Gatineau is the Ottawa-Gatineau
Airport which serves the Outaouais
region. The Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport also provides flights
to Canada's capital region and is located near most of the major highways.
Macdonald-Cartier
International Airport, Ottawa's main airport, is serviced by many international
airlines.
Gatineau is easily accessible by car due to its location to nearby Ottawa. Major
highways, as well as rail lines, pass through Ottawa. From there it is a 15
minute drive, over the Alexandra Bridge to Gatineau.
Getting around
Gatineau has a fairly extensive network of buses making it easy to get around
the city. The Société
de Transport de l'Outaouais provides bus service to the city. Day passes
can be purchased at Outaouais Tourism Association and allow holders unlimited
access to all regular bus routes. Route 21 is a good route for those visiting
as it stops at many of the tourist attractions making the most of a daily pass.
Ottawa's bus service, OC
Transpo, provides limited service to the downtown core of Gatineau during
rush hour. Tickets are not interchangeable between these two bus companies.
For those who have limited time to see the area taxis
are available. Tipping 10% of the bill is recommended.
Driving provides a lot more freedom to explore
Gatineau and the surrounding area but drivers should make sure to review the
driving laws in Quebec as they
differ from the rest of Canada. Brown or blue road signs usually indicate a
tourist attraction and parking is relatively easy as tourists can purchase a
one-day visitor card from the Maison du tourisme.
WHEN TO VISIT
Gatineau experiences noticeable climate changes
throughout the year. The close proximity to the Ottawa
River results in a hot and humid summer making Gatineau the warmest
climate in Quebec with temperatures around +25°C (+76°F). It has an average
of 2,059 hours of sunshine per year. Fall and spring are pleasant though quite
cool and cloudy. The rainfall is minimal and September is the wettest month
with the average rainfall around 83 cm (3 in). Winter can be very cold, the
average low is around -13°C (9°F) and it is not unusual for local snowstorms
to bury cars. Those who dislike colder weather should plan to visit between
May and August. Even so, visitors should take care to pack some warm clothes
as it can snow at anytime in Gatineau.
DISTRICTS
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| Canadian
Museum of Civilization 2 |
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Hull District
Hull, which refers to downtown Gatineau, is the area located right across from
Ottawa and has many shopping centres such as Les Galleries De Hull, Les Promenades
de l'Outaouais and Place du Centre. Winterlude, the celebration of winter, and
the Tulip Festival are a few of the annual events held in this part of the city.
The Casino
du Lac-Leamy, a gambling destination complete with a Hilton
Hotel, is 4 km (2.49 mi) from Parliament
Hill. Other areas of interest are Maison du Citoyen, the Ecomuseum
and the Canadian
Museum of Civilization which moved from Ottawa to the Hull district
in 1989.
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National
War Memorial 3 |
Gatineau Park
Located 15 minutes from Parliament Hill, this reserve is home to many trails,
spectacular lakes and massive forests, with more than 50 species of trees. This
creates the perfect backdrop for a day trip with the family or, for the more
adventurous, some serious hiking. Numerous other activities, from snowboarding
to camping, are available within Gatineau
Park.
Confederation Boulevard
This boulevard, used as a route for celebrations and state processions, loops
around the core of both Ottawa
and Gatineau, passing by the residence of the governor general and the National
War Memorial. Visitors can discover more about Canada's government by
exploring Confederation Boulevard as it includes important government institutions
and landmarks.
Place Aubry and Promenade de Portage
Nestled in the heart of downtown Place
Aubry is usually humming with the energy of the city. Across from the
Canadian Museum of Civilization, the Promenade de Portage, the main street in
Gatineau, is a large shopping area with over 65 restaurants and boutiques. This
area is guaranteed to keep serious shoppers busy for at least a day or two.
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| Jockeys
racing 4 |
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Aylmer District
Located to the west of Gatineau, the Aylmer district is known as the recreation
capital of the national capital with numerous golf courses, spas, and bicycle
paths along the Chemin d'Aylmer. The horse race track (Hippodrome d'Aylmer) is
one of Quebec's four controlled race tracks and holds races on Saturday afternoons.
ACCOMMODATION
Most of Gatineau's accommodations are relatively
close to not only all of Gatineau's attractions but also Ottawa's sights. Many
hotels are minutes from downtown Ottawa,
allowing tourists to visit not one but two very interesting cities. Depending
on the season rates are known to vary. Those on a tighter budget should try
a local bed and breakfast or motel. For high-end accommodation Gatineau has
more than a few hotels to choose from. Outdoor enthusiasts fear not, if the
thought of staying in a busy city is not very appealing, check out Gatineau
Park's campground.
The Casino
du Lac Leamy has a world-class Hilton
Hotel on-site which has every amenity one could wish for. From the beautiful
lake view, to the relaxing spa, to six restaurants and easy access to the city,
this hotel promises a very luxurious vacation. Across the street is the Ramada
Plaza, a reliable and well-known chain. Both of these accommodations
are located five minutes from some major tourist attractions like Parliament
Hill, the National
Gallery, the Steam Train Station and even Ottawa's ByWard
Market.
For those looking for a quieter stay there are
several bed and breakfasts in Gatineau. To the west of the city located just
off of Blvd. Alexander Tache the Gîte
Möyfrids B&B is a peaceful reprieve in the Hull district close
to the entrance to Gatineau Park.The Gite
de Brouage is 10 minutes from downtown and offers free parking to guests,
which deals with the hassle of looking for parking. A few mid-range options
like the Best
Western and the Sheraton
are located on the busy Rue Laurier.
Heading the other direction on Boulevard Grebe,
there are reasonably priced motels such as Motel
Adam, Motel
Montcalm, Motels
Du Chevalier and Motel
Ritz. The Comfort
Inn and Hotel
Clarion are both located minutes from these motels and offer all the
amenities visitors expect from these well-known chains.
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Wakefield
Inn 5 |
Gatineau
Park has a few options for those who would prefer to sleep surrounded
by the majestic Canadian scenery. Camping is an affordable option to the hotels
and is available over the summer at three different campgrounds. As it is a
very popular place to stay, the Park starts to take reservations in January.
At Brown Lake a small cabin with bunk beds is available nightly for a minimal
fee. Hidden in the park, about 25 minutes from downtown Gatineau, The
Wakefield Inn and Spa offers a retreat from daily life with package
getaways, cosy suites and loads of activities. Housed in a mill that was built
in 1838, then re-built in 1910 due to a fire, this nature hide-away pampers
guests while they relax and experience the lush beauty of Gatineau Park.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Alexandra Bridge;
Gatineau-Ottawa, Quebec, Canada
- Canadian Museum of
Civilization; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
- National War Memorial;
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Jockeys at the horsetrack;Gatineau,
Quebec, Canada
- Wakefield Inn; Gatineau,
Quebec, Canada
