La rivière des Outaouais : plus de 8000 ans d'histoire

Guide: Michel Prévost, President, Société d'histoire de l'Outaouais

Departure: Maison du citoyen, 25, rue Laurier

Information: 3-1-1 or patrimoine@gatineau.ca

Over the centuries, the Ottawa River has played a vital role in the Outaouais region. For more than 8,000 years, First Nations have used the Kitchisippi River, or Grande Rivière, as one of the most important communication routes in North America. In the 16th and 17th centuries, explorers, missionaries, soldiers, coureurs des bois and voyageurs used the Ottawa River to travel to the Pays d'en Haut. In the 19th century, log drivers and cajeux took over, as the forestry industry became the Eden of the Ottawa Valley. In 1791, the river became a frontier, but close ties were maintained between the two shores, as it was used for transportation and later for hydroelectricity. The river is also used for tourism, sports and recreation. The history of this heritage river is fascinating... come and discover it!

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