Blue signs mark the route:

“Waterways of the Outaouais” - a new way to explore our cultural heritage

Tourisme Outaouais announced a project, June 14, to get people travelling   along the Ottawa River, and three of its tributaries, this summer. Chemins d’eau is the name of the new network of connecting highways and roads following waterways that stretch along 278 km of river.

The idea is to encourage vacationers and visitors to explore the area’s cultural heritage using the river as their guide.  They are distributing a map of  the routes, which  include Highway 148 from near Montebello,  and through Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Gatineau, and the Pontiac.

The map includes restaurants, lodgings, must-sees, natural attractions, and more. There are four suggested circuits, which focus on selected regions: Pontiac, Collines-de-l’Outaouais, Papineau and Gatineau.

Stéphanie Vallée, MNA for the Gatineau Vally, Minister of Justice, and Minister responsible for the Outaouais, commented, “This original and enjoyable initiative will allow tourists to have a better knowledge of the natural beauty and cultural heritage of our region.”

Vallée was joined by local MPs and MNAs at the Musée de l’Auberge Symmes for an unveiling of the new blue signs,  with one posted at the entrance of the Aylmer Marina. Other launches occured in the Pontiac and Haut-Gatineau.

Manuela Teixeira, President of Tourisme Outaouais  added, “The Chemins d’eau tourist trail will enrich and solidify the touristic offerings in the Outaouais.” Pontiac’s warden commented that the trail will also commemorate the men and women who first settled along the shores of these rivers.

Tourisme Outaouais is hoping people will visit the shops and services in the small towns that border the rivers. A study done by the UQAM School of Management revealed that visitors to a region will spend approximately $1,000 each during their stay, and that the presence of a marked tourist trail prolongs the duration of their visit. The study also finds that for a third of visitors,  a trail is the primary reason for their visit.