Staying in Gatineau

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

Canadian Museum of Civilization 2

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.

	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.

Jockeys racing 4

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.

	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.

1. Alexandra Bridge; Gatineau-Ottawa, Quebec, Canada
2. Canadian Museum of Civilization; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
3. National War Memorial; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
4. Jockeys at the horsetrack;Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
5. Wakefield Inn; Gatineau, Quebec, Canada