JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND TRADITION AT THE HISTORIC MANOIR-PAPINEAU AND CHATEAU MONTEBELLO WITH PARKS CANADA

COME JOURNEY THROUGH TIME AND TRADITION AT THE HISTORIC MANOIR-PAPINEAU AND CHATEAU MONTEBELLO WITH PARKS CANADA

The Historic Manoir Papineau is a true hidden gem.

For one, it is literally hidden. You wouldn’t know it exist in the heart of downtown Montebello… unless you’re a local or you’re in the know. And two, it truly is a gem as it is a place where history, culture, architecture and tradition lives on.

PARKS CANADA’S GUIDED TOUR OF MANOIR PAPINEAU NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

We had the honour of visiting with not only the dedicated and passionate team from Parks Canada, headed by Senior Marketing Specialist on Travel Media and a seasoned world traveler himself, Monsieur Guy Thériault (accompanied by Eric Mangan and Simon) but also with Madame Anne Chardon, an epitome of French style and elegance (originally from one of my favourite cities in the world – Paris!), who represents Tourisme Outaouais as Head of Media Relations. Blessed with a gorgeous weather, we journeyed through time and space… right through the early 19th century into French Quebec.

To see more photos by Alan Wainwright Photography of our Tour and Experience of the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site & Fairmont Le Château Montebello, please visit our Facebook page here. You can also follow @20YS in Twitter and Instagram to see all of these in action!

As the grand estate of Louis-Joseph Papineau, the man who was to become a leading figure in Canadian politics and a revered statesman especially in Quebec, looms over the horizon sitting atop a hill, it’s as if history opens right before our eyes.

Flanked by four towers, the manor house is indeed massive and stately as it rules over its surrounding landscape with its beautifully manicured garden, spacious lawns, wooded areas, giant oak tree, a stream and of course, a family museum.

ONE OF THE MOST PICTURESQUE VIEWPOINTS IN THE REGION

Nowadays, this historic site, managed and preserved by Parks Canada, is geared towards visitors coming from all corners of the world. All-year round, guests can partake in a number of activities such as the historic tour and experience of the manor, a gastronomic experience where you can dine right where Monsieur Papineau had lavish dinners prepared for family, friends and colleagues or an afternoon high tea, followed by (well, ideally a nap!) a charming game of croquet.

If you don’t quite up to getting your 19th century bourgeois on, the Manoir-Papineau is positively one of the most picturesque site in the #Outaouais and beyond that can simply take a stroll in the lovely garden where you can let yourself be charmed by the vibrant colours, and sweet fragrance of the magnificent garden.

DISCOVER THE MANOR’S ECLECTIC ARCHITECTURE AND RICH HISTORY

There is truly something for everyone at the Manoir-Papineau. Forty-minute guided tours are available all day, every day the site is open. If history is the name of your game, there is a tour precisely right for you. If architecture is something that speaks to you, you’d be delighted to know that the guided tour of the Manoir Papineau will teach you not only about the day-to-day life of Louis-Joseph Papineau’s family but also about the origins and design inspirations of the estate. Renowned for its eclectic architecture, the Manoir-Papineau has a number of details that often go unnoticed. Go on the tour and see if you will notice these architectural surprises yourself!

For those who love to immerse themselves in culture and tradition, Parks Canada, who oversees historical sites such as the Manoir Papineau, have a of experienced guides like Nathalie and Joel, who not only dress the part but they are also experts in giving you an intimate view of the daily lives of this elite French-Canadian family.

As you wander through the bedroom of Louis-Joseph Papineau, the old style bathroom, the huge dining room and the grand salon decorated with gold and opulence, you can relive the festive atmosphere of dinner receptions and partake in social traditions during those times where proper etiquette and social standing was everyone’s pre-occupation. Where one sits on the social ladder is akin to today’s number of Twitter followers. The higher you are, the more rights, privileges and luxuries are afforded to you.

ENJOY LIGHT TEA AND SHORTBREAD COOKIES WITH THE PAPINEAUS

One such privilege is being invited to the lavish room where Monsieur Papineau and his wife invited guests over for light tea and shortbread cookies. As proper etiquette and decorum is very much strictly adhered to, we had the good fortune of getting proper tea etiquette lessons from Joel, our perfect host of the day.

From how to conduct one’s self appropriately to how to sit properly for both men and women (no slouching, spreading out your legs or gossiping – surprise surprise!), to how long should one steep one’s tea and most importantly, how one should hold one’s cup and saucer daintily – it was an exercise of agility and restraint.

Aside from the delightful Oolong and Herbal teas prepared especially for afternoon tea at the Manoir-Papineau, we were treated to authentic period décor, a few anecdotes and secrets of this manor house and its occupants and of course, divine shortbread cookies prepared by the chefs at Chateau Montebello.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD RENOWNED FAIRMONT LE CHÂTEAU MONTEBELLO

Speaking of which, have you had the pleasure of staying or visiting the Chateau Montebello? Oh you must go if you haven’t been. In fact, you must go immediately!

Another of the region’s famed treasure, the Chateau Montebello is a site rich in history and tradition as well as architectural feat. Constructed night and day and 7 days a week in 1930, this Outaouais hotel and resort was the dream of a Swiss-American named Hubert Saddlemire. Hubert was inspired by the châteaux of the Swiss Alps and originally dubbed the Chateau Montebello the “Lucerne-in-Québec.”

A true architectural marvel at that time (and still is to this day), it rapidly became known as one of the prime luxury resorts in Quebec and throughout Eastern Canada. For 40 years, the log château was the private retreat of the Seigniory Club, whose elite membership included reputable Canadian businessmen and politicians, including some of Canada’s known Prime Ministers. That prestige has continued on until this day as the Fairmont Le Château Montebello has been the venue of many an international gathering hosting foreign presidents and dignitaries such as the G7 and the North American Leaders Summit.

FROM VISITING WORLD LEADERS TO OUT OF THIS WORLD CULINARY DELIGHTS

Today, this luxury hotel attracts visitors from across Canada and around the world – all year round. Having that in mind, we had the absolute pleasure of not only touring the grounds, the lobby and the famous swimming pool of Fairmont Le Château Montebello, we also had the great fortune of having lunch there with the hotel’s gracious Communications and Marketing Team: Nathalie Bouchard and Jennifer Wilson.

Within the log cabin that boasts of a stunning view of the river and the lush chef’s garden, we feasted on a fabulous lunch buffet that featured a lot of local ingredients. The buffet featured a wide variety of options, the appetizer section alone features fresh soups and cheeses, fishes and meats and cured vegetables. The main courses also had a great selection of delicious pasta, meat, fish and lovely vegetarian options.

While everything was a gastronomic treat, the dessert section was perhaps the pièce de résistance as it featured classic French Canadian favourites such Tarte Au Sucre (Sugar Pie) and bread pudding with a light or generous pour of maple syrup and a dollop of crème Anglaise. I have never, in fact, combined maple syrup and fresh creme before… it’s a top trick taught by Monsieur Guy Thériault and my god, did it ever take the humble bread pudding to the next level!

Our two tables of tourism experts blogger and travel media and journalists (we also had the pleasure of touring with Jonathan from Ottawa Life Magazine, Eric and Katharine Fletcher of Spirit Wood, Laura of Ottawa Road Trips and of course, Alan Wainwright from Alan Wainwright Photography and Twenty York Street as well!) definitely did not skip the dessert table, which left us all yearning for more walk around the Chateau Montebello before we head back to the Manoir-Papineau for the afternoon’s important affair – light tea with several of our newfound bourgeois friends.

EXPERIENCE ONE OF BEST SUNSETS AT CAPE BONSECOURS

While we didn’t stay late enough to experience this, I was told you can see one of the best sunsets from the Cape Bonsecours viewpoint. What I can tell is that we did have the exact special view that Monsieur Papineau had all those many years ago. This was his favourite view in fact – the magnificent view of the giant oak tree in the garden from his window in the sitting room as he reads or write his correspondence to family and friends.

It’s worth noting that this impressively grandiose tree has been around for over 300 years. Naturally, it has aged over the years and it takes a specialized team of Parks Canada experts to ensure that Monsieur Papineau’s tree lives on for many more centuries.

HAVE SOME #TIMETOCONNECT AND #SHARETHECHAIR WITH PARKS CANADA

This is but one of the many moments of appreciation that you will go home with after a visit with Parks Canada. Often, we visit a historic place or a landmark and not think much of all the work and effort that goes behind managing and preserving it. The team at Parks Canada have done a brilliant job of putting together a historically rich tour that is both entertaining and educating at the same time. If only history was taught this way in school, I’m sure we would all remember more of that time gone by.

Come visit and experience the Manoir-Papineau for yourself and your family. Make sure you sit on the iconic red chairs and post your photos using Park Canada’s #SharetheChair and #TimetoConnect! Of course, don’t forget to stop by or stay at the Chateau Montebello and peruse through the village to try some local best sellers such as beer, cheese and chocolates!