There are some places that have the power to enchant every visitor. Montebello is definitely one of those magical spots. Just one visit to this charming Outaouais village will be enough to win you over! With its rich history, warm atmosphere and, friendly people, Montebello is well worth a visit.
Many of the region’s most popular attractions can be found in and around Montebello, a small municipality with fewer than 1,000 residents, but there are also hidden treasures to be discovered. Follow our suggestions for your next trip to Montebello!
SO MUCH TO EXPLORE
Montebello has a lot to offer besides rustic charm! The variety of activities is impressive, and there’s something for everyone. History buffs will love a visit to the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site!
Step back in time to the 19th century as you explore the Papineau family estate. This majestic mansion overlooking the Ottawa River was once the home of Louis-Joseph Papineau, leader of the Patriotes and seigneur of Petite Nation. Stroll through the magnificent garden and along the stately wooded alley to admire the beautiful natural setting and the Manoir’s impressive architecture. The 45-minute guided tour of the main floor will teach you about the Papineaus’ day-to-day life.
Get an intimate view of this elite French-Canadian family and relive the festive atmosphere of the glittering receptions held in the dining room and drawing room and attended by many distinguished guests. You may not want to return to the 21st century!
If you want to connect with Canada’s wildlife, Parc Omega is the place to be! A star attraction in the region, it offers a range of unique experiences and activities to complement the safari-style driving tour.
Home to more than 20 species of animals roaming free in their natural habitat, Parc Omega offers a great new feature: drive among the Arctic wolves! You can also meet a new species, recently introduced to the park, that was on the verge of extinction: Przewalski’s horses. Between the aerial course, grey wolf observation area, hiking trails and the old-fashioned farm, your day will be packed! Did you know that you can also sleep here? Several types of unusual accommodation are available: ready-to-camp, pods, cottages, and suites surrounded by the wolves and bears. These will be memorable nights!
Finally, the park’s gourmet bistro-style restaurant, OmegaBon, welcomes you to its table to discover its elegant cuisine prepared with local seasonal produce. Parc Omega really delivers on its promise to bring you closer to nature!
SWEET DREAMS
A range of accommodations is available to help you recharge your batteries with a good night’s sleep. A true Montebello institution, Fairmont Le Château Montebello welcomes you within its log walls for an experience that combines rustic comfort, lush natural surroundings, and a wide range of outdoor activities. The world’s largest log building is known for its warm hospitality and a full program of events.
Next, the Auberge Montebello offers a friendly and relaxing atmosphere. The charm of this converted Victorian schoolhouse will make your stay even more special. With its 44 rooms, this intimate establishment is perfect for unwinding in peace and comfort after a busy day.
Finally, the Manoir Chamberland‘s luxurious and elegant period decor will make you feel like you’re in an episode of Downton Abbey. With its attentive service and exceptional attention to detail, this historic boutique hotel spares no effort when it comes to guests’ comfort and well-being. Relax by the pool before embarking on your next adventure, or enjoy the luxurious decor of your room overlooking the village church.
If there’s one thing that’s true about Montebello, it’s that the food is delicious! The local restaurants and producers have made it their mission to showcase the region’s distinctive flavors and culinary know-how.
Le Napoléon‘s menu is inspired by the seasons and local produce, all with a gourmet twist, and the dishes are as appealing to the eye as to the palate.
Just down the street is Bistro Montebello, with its pub-style cuisine and gourmet local touches. Famous for its wood-fired pizza, the Bistro also serves reinvented classics and unique creations.
Finally, the Souche-I restaurant specializes in Asian-inspired cuisine prepared with local produce and paired with delicious local microbrewery beers. Pairing sushi and craft beer? It really works!
Montebello’s food producers are passionate about their work, and they know how to help you discover the village through your taste buds. The Fromagerie Montebello, winner of numerous awards for its delicious cheeses, is a must! It’s impossible to leave without filling your shopping bag with cheeses and gourmet products. Chocolate lovers can indulge their sweet tooth at ChocoMotive, whose top-quality products are created with authentic chocolate-making know-how. The shop also houses an open workshop where you can watch chocolate being made, and an EconoMuseum where you can learn all about chocolate around the world. Finally, enjoy an aperitif at the Brasseurs de Montebello microbrewery and pub, and sample beers crafted with passion and meticulous care. Enjoy the warm atmosphere and taste locally produced brews.
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We did warn you: it’s impossible to resist the charm of Montebello and its must-see attractions. In fact, it’s very likely that as you leave, you’ll already be making plans to come back! That’s the Montebello effect. And if you’re so inclined, you can explore the surrounding area with a wilderness getaway to Kenauk Nature!
For someone working in Ottawa, Ross Pattee’s commute time is unusually long. None of his colleagues from the public service drive for an hour home like he does. But he doesn’t mind, as no one else heads home to a luxury hotel.
Mr. Pattee, the executive director of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and his partner, Dominique Primeau, bought a 10,000-square-foot presbytère (clergy house) in Montebello, Que., in 2015. They’ve fully renovated the property into an eight-room boutique hotel east of Ottawa called the Manoir Chamberland, and the couple – who got married on the property – lives in the former nun’s quarters above the kitchen.
“It was pretty fascinating for two guys to be buying something from the Roman Catholic church. It’s not your average business transaction,” Mr. Pattee recalls with a laugh. “But the problems were just in my head. The community has been supportive and there’s just a delightful irony in my view for two guys, a couple, buying [a home] from the Catholic church and making a go of it.”
The couple bought their first home together in Vancouver, a century-old property that Mr. Primeau, a former employee of fashion-industry heavyweights such as Christian Dior and owner of an interior design shop, fixed up on his own.
Mr. Pattee’s job brought them to Ottawa and they bought another home from the early 1900s to renovate in New Edinburgh – close to the Governor General’s residence.
They attended a wedding in Montebello in 2014 and, while taking a walk in the village, saw the church property for sale. The following year they attended yet another wedding and saw the property was still for sale. They jumped on it.
“It was huge and we thought, coming from Vancouver, this would have been $10-million,” Mr. Primeau says. “We went online, checked the price, and thought, ‘Oh my God that’s so cheap.’ We made an appointment, visited the place, and we thought, ‘why not?’”
The church – which has a vocal committee but a small congregation of about 20 people who attend Sunday service – tried to sell the home, built in 1935, on its own. It was listed for three years before being sold to the couple for just $315,000.
“The purchase price wasn’t the challenge – it was the restoration price,” Mr. Pattee explains. “We got it for a very, very fair price given that it’s a 10,000-square-foot mansion.”
“Manoir Chamberland is arguably the best small lodging establishment between Montreal and Ottawa, ON!”
Rochelle Lash
MONTREAL GAZETTE
PUBLISHED AUGUST 10, 2017
Dominique is the general manager of The Manoir Chamberland, which offers luxurious guest rooms, a slick lounge and a magnificent dining room, while Ross commutes to Ottawa to work as a lawyer. When the couple purchased the neglected building in 2015, it was in great need of repair, but Dominique’s eye for detail saw the potential.
“The place had good bones, but with leaks everywhere,” recalls the clever designer. “They were too numerous to count – in the attics, garage door, basement door, perimeter, and basement. The chimneys were a hazard and ready to fall, as was the retaining wall of the veranda where the stones could be removed like drawers.”
With skillful renovation experience under their belt, Dominique and Ross were ready to take on the Montebello project. They had previously renovated a century-old home in North Vancouver before moving to Ottawa in 2015 when they began a two-year renovation on a house built in 1908. Working as a designer after years of expertise as the owner of a custom furnishing store, Dominique found the appeal of the new project was strong enough for the two of them to leave Ottawa for the quaint Quebec Village.
Not only does the interior space showcase the transformation, but the grounds have also been beautifully brought to life as an outdoor oasis. Decks have been added along with a hot tub, a wedding pavilion and pool with a 1,500 square-foot pool house that was designed and built by Dominique.
“The yard was a blank canvas of mostly weeds when we arrived,” says Dominique who adds that significant planting has taken place since. “We planted 450 cedars, 50 trees and over 50 rosebushes – and this is just the beginning!”
This summer Dominique and Ross will welcome guests for the weekend opening on July 1, but are also making rooms available for the overflow of tourists heading into town for Montebello Rock Fest over the June 23-24 weekend.
The splendid space is a tribute to their vision and Dominique’s talents, and will likely be home for the dynamic couple for many years to come. Along with rooms they still have to fill and a basement full of furnishings, they have many more ideas for evolving their splendid property.
With skillful renovation experience under their belt, Dominique and Ross were ready to take on the Montebello project. They had previously renovated a century-old home in North Vancouver before moving to Ottawa in 2015, when they began a two-year renovation on a house built in 1908. Working as a designer after years of expertise as the owner of a custom furnishing store, Dominique found the appeal of the new project was strong enough for the two of them to leave Ottawa for the quaint Quebec Village.
Not only does the interior space showcase the transformation, but the grounds have also been beautifully brought to life as an outdoor oasis. Decks have been added along with a hot tub, a wedding pavilion and pool with a 1,500 square-foot pool house that was designed and built by Dominique.
With a background in fashion and beauty, Dominique Primeau has worked with some of the most elegant names in the industry, including Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, and has a keen sense for luxury living. He and his partner Ross Pattee brought elegant hospitality to the Quebec town of Montebello with a grand renovation of the local presbytery building. It was transformed into a boutique-style hotel catering to adults over 18, while also serving as home for the stylish pair.
Dominique is the general manager of The Manoir Chamberland, which offers luxurious guest rooms, a slick lounge and magnificent dining room, while Ross commutes to Ottawa to work as a lawyer. When the couple purchased the neglected building in 2015, it was in great need of repair, but Dominique’s eye for detail saw the potential.
“The place had good bones, but with leaks everywhere,” recalls the clever designer. “They were too numerous to count – in the attics, garage door, basement door, perimeter and basement. The chimneys were a hazard and ready to fall, as was the retaining wall off the veranda where the stones could be removed like drawers.”
“The yard was a blank canvas of mostly weeds when we arrived,” says Dominique who adds that significant planting has taken place since. “We planted 450 cedars, 50 trees and over 50 rosebushes – and this is just the beginning!”
This summer Dominique and Ross will welcome guests for the weekend opening on July 1, but are also making rooms available for the overflow of tourists heading into town for Montebello Rock Fest over the June 23-24 weekend.
The splendid space is a tribute to their vision and Dominique’s talents, and will likely be home for the dynamic couple for many years to come. Along with rooms they still have to fill and a basement full of furnishings, they have many more ideas for evolving their splendid property.
I am obsessed with this hotel.
It’s technically a B&B, but I’ve always assumed that B&Bs are cutesy and offer a basic breakfast. The ones I stayed at on the Cabot Trail were certainly nothing like this!
The Manoir Chamberland was recommended to me by my mom who had stayed there in the summer of 2021. She had raved about the couples’ hospitality, the amazing creme Anglaise at breakfast (from a woman who doesn’t care for sweets), and the fact that they literally built the hotel themselves.
When you arrive, you’ll be immediately struck by how welcoming Ross and Dominique are.
They take you on a tour of the hotel and allow you to pre-pick your breakfast order and time. They’ll even check on you throughout meals or time playing board games in the lounge.
Beyond the owners, the Manoir Chamberland is incredibly welcoming.
It feels a bit like getting a hug from your grandma – warm, comforting, and a bit ornate in its style.
You’ll sleep like a king in the gorgeous beds! I only stayed one night and was genuinely sad to leave. Not only did I know every other breakfast I’d have this year wouldn’t compare to the Manoir Chamberland’s feast, but I would miss the owners who felt like fast friends.
If you choose to stay at the Manoir, you’ll be treated to a familial feel with amenities no large hotel chain could offer.
Honestly, I recommend going to Montebello just to stay at the Manoir. It should be the town’s main attraction, it’s that amazing!