Tourism, vacations, getaways in Outaouais | Québec’s regions

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A region shaped by Québec’s longest river that runs through it, and to which it owes its name and history.

Here, it’s one foot in the city and the other in nature. Enjoy an outdoor adventure in the morning and cultural discoveries in the afternoon or evening. Large parks await you, just a stone’s throw from Ottawa, the National Capital. Our land is vast and generous; our chefs, inspired and creative. Outaouais is 33,000 km2 (12,738 sq. mi.) of pure delight!

Consult the tourist guide

How to get there

Distance between main cities

Montréal

206km

Québec

438km

Did you know?

The region has over 15,000 lakes and about a dozen rivers.

Canadian Museum of History

The museum’s impressive architecture demands attention from afar, even as far away as Ontario! That’s not difficult, of course, as the museum sits on the banks of the Ottawa River, facing Ottawa. But there’s no denying that it’s eye-catching. The huge sand-coloured building of curving forms evokes “the emergence of this continent, its forms sculptured by the winds, the rivers, the glaciers,” says its designer, architect Douglas Cardinal, whose work has received many awards.

The museum’s interior is equalling striking, especially the Grand Hall, with its high ceilings—needed to display the gigantic totem poles—and massive windows offering up a view of Parliament Hill. The museum is so vast it is also home to an IMAX giant-screen cinema as well as a children’s museum, where little ones can have fun learning about people around the world.

The museum houses the world’s largest indoor collection of totem poles.

A stroll through Canada’s history

Montebello

Château Montebello is said to be the world’s largest log cabin. While this is true, Château Montebello is so much more. This Fairmont resort hotel boasts luxurious accommodations in natural surroundings as well as refined gastronomy. Plenty of outdoor activities are offered year-round, just as they are at the Château’s neighbour, Kenauk Nature, one of North America’s largest private nature reserves.

Close by, the former Montebello train station houses ChocoMotive, a chocolate shop and Économusée. Meanwhile, the Fromagerie Montebello gives historical names to its artisanal cheeses... you’ll truly savour the past!