Immerse yourself in 15,000 years of history and culture with a free visit to the Canadian Museum of History, one of Canada’s most popular museums.

Visit one (or more!) of Canada’s national museums in Gatineau–Ottawa: the Canadian Museum of Nature, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian War Museum, the Canada Science and Technology Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, or the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum.

The main Parliament Building, the Centre Block, is currently closed for restoration, but four fascinating guided tours are available to the public free of charge: a tour of the Senate, a tour of the House of Commons, a tour of the East Block, and an immersive experience featuring the Centre Block.

Visit the Symmes Inn Museum to travel back in time and learn about local history and Charles Symmes, the founder of Aylmer.

Visit the ChocoMotive chocolate shop, a popular stop in the village of Montebello, to learn all about the history of chocolate and how delicious chocolate treats are made. You can watch the chocolate makers at work in the open workshop.

Delve into the history of the Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and the life of homesteader William Fairbairn on a guided tour or by participating in one of the many activities offered at the Fairbairn House Heritage Centre.

The Parc de la Ferme-Dalton (Dalton Farm Park) heritage site includes a schoolhouse, a sugar shack and a farmhouse. It’s an ideal spot for a stroll and a picnic.

Learn about one of Canada’s iconic animals at the White-Tail Deer Interpretation Centre, and do some forest bathing on the site’s hiking trails.

Discover the history and workings of a hydroelectric power station at the Rapides-Farmer Generating Station, in operation since 1927. Four free guided tours are offered daily.

Discover the places that have shaped our region’s history. Several free and fascinating walking tours are offered in the Outaouais’ various sectors.

A true outdoor paradise, Gatineau Park has an extensive network of walking trails to explore, absolutely free.

Hike the 13 km of marked trails in Mont Morissette Regional Park for free, and climb to the top of the 18-metre observation tower for breathtaking views.

The PERO trails manages a network of 12 accessible hiking trails that are very popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Consult the PERO’s interactive maps.

The Route des Zingues trail (a play on “route des Indes,” the fabled sea route to India) winds through the municipality of Duhamel and offers magnificent views of Lakes Gagnon and Preston.

Bicycle through beautiful landscapes along the free 72-km Véloroute des Draveurs (“log drivers’ bike path”).

Stretching for 30 km along the north shore of the Ottawa River, the free Voyageurs Pathway recreational trail offers spectacular views of Gatineau and Ottawa. A great way to discover the area by bike, on in-line skates or on foot.

With 300 km of free recreational pathways, the City of Gatineau attracts cyclists of all abilities. Explore the city at your own pace!

A 92-km bike path and natural park developed around an old railroad, the Cyclopark PPJ in the Pontiac crosses a varied landscape of farms, swamps, fields and forests, and goes through several charming villages.

Admission to the City of Gatineau’s outdoor centres, parks and beaches is free, and there are lots of free outdoor activities to choose from.

View unique works at the Centre d’exposition Art-image and broaden your appreciation of contemporary visual art through exhibitions open to the public.

Located in the Centre culturel du Vieux-Aylmer, the Espace Pierre-Debain gallery presents free arts and crafts exhibitions with an emphasis on multidimensional work.

The Galerie Montcalm’s varied exhibitions of work by local, Canadian and international artists make for a rewarding free cultural outing.

The Centre d’action culturelle de la MRC de Papineau hosts a variety of exhibitions showcasing local artistic talent.

Enjoy urban art and discover the city for free on the Culture Trail through downtown Gatineau.

Several free exhibitions are held throughout the year at La Fab sur Mill, a historic church converted into an arts cooperative where performance and visual arts meet.