Site Visits and Activities

MONTEBELLO, QUÉBEC

Dates of Trip: September 19–21

Nestled on the banks of the Ottawa River, about half way between Hull and Montreal, the little village of Montebello has been bustling with activity since Seigneur Louis-Joseph built his manor home here around 1850. Today, the town and surrounding area bear the indelible mark of the important landholder, whose surname pops up on various street signs, a wildlife preservation area, and even a nearby township. In the 1930s, the area’s tourist economy received a boost when the Lucerne resort opened, giving city-dwellers from as far away as Toronto and upstate New York a rustic recreational estate where they could relax, play and enjoy the high life (the three main buildings were constructed from 10,000 cedar logs in just over four months). In the early 1970s, the Lucerne was renamed le Château Montebello. This beautiful log structure has hosted a variety of national and international events, including the 1981 Economic Summit and the 1983 NATO Conference. A three-story central atrium, each floor appended with wings that lead to the 211 guest rooms, encircles a massive open space, highlighted by a grand six-sided fireplace set in a central chimney. Guests marvel at the location and the stunning lobby.

Beautiful surroundings and year-round activities, including golf, hiking, horseback riding, and skiing ensure you an outdoor experience marked by fun and serenity. Explore the village of Montebello, and you’ll find several cozy antique shops and eateries, each of them boasting that Petite-Nation friendliness that so marks the area. Adventure fiends will want to plan excursions to nearby Kenauk, a reserve maintained by Fairmont and part of Papineau’s original estate, where fishing, hiking, bird-watching, rafting and even off-roading are available on the 65,000 acre property. The town has two marinas on the Ottawa River, and is home to the famous Château Montebello.

Register by August 7.

Cost: $500 CDN; $390 US
Dates of Trip: September 19 – 21 (includes ground transportation, two nights accommodation, excludes meals)
Group Size: minimum 7, maximum 14
Travel Time: Two hours from Ottawa
Begin: Château Laurier Hotel Lobby; September 19 @ 1:00 p.m.
End: Château Laurier Hotel Lobby., September 21 @ 3:00 p.m.