2 OFFERS #7303 & #19297 – In winter we travel to Europe – Summer in Canada
Translated from Français
Apartment • Gatineau QC Canada
4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Beds
2 Bathrooms
Wheelchair accessible
1 Car space
Primary home
Exchange types accepted
Simultaneous
Non-Simultaneous
Non-Reciprocal
Hospitality
Statistics
Listed July 2020
Views 4014
General Overview
This 1st residence is located in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Approximately 10 minutes from the city of Ottawa. The latter being the National Capital of Canada.
Our goal is to live there 6 months a year as long as our health allows us to travel. So, from mid-May to mid-November. The other 6 months, we spend them in our apartment in Canet en Roussillon in France. Do not hesitate to view the offer #19297 to learn more about this apartment.
We live in a region of Quebec where bilingualism, French and English, is very present.
Our apartment is located on the 5th floor of a 60-unit building, commonly known as the ZIBI Building.
A 30-minute walk from the Parliament of Canada's National Capital. 10 minutes walk to the trendy restaurants of downtown Gatineau ("Old Hull") or 5 minutes drive to Ottawa's legendary ByMarket (public market/restaurants/stores).
10 to 15 minute walk to the Canadian War Museum and the Canadian Museum of History including the popular Canadian Children's Museum.
Many other museums accessible by public transit or by car, including several in downtown Ottawa.
The city of Ottawa is geographically located in the province of Ontario while the city of Gatineau is located in the province of Quebec. Only the Ottawa River separates these 2 cities.
However, both are bilingual (English/French) and multicultural.
Beaches, mountains, walking and cycling trails. So many things to do and see in Canada's National Capital.
On Saturdays and Sundays in spring, summer and early autumn, the various roads in the region called "Promenades" are closed to car traffic to allow cyclists to cycle safely... A very popular family activity.
The Space
Beautiful 2 bedroom apartment located on the 5th floor of a building containing 60 dwellings with elevators, garbage room, small gymnasium, balcony and a beautiful terrace on the roof of the building on the 7th floor accessible via the elevator and an underground garage where we have 1 parking space.
The master bedroom has a king-size adjustable bed (194 X 204 cm) - perfect for ending the evening in front of the TV or reading a good novel before going to sleep or adapting the bed to your sleep preferences. In addition, this room gives direct access to a full bathroom including a double shower.
The 2nd bedroom contains a large "Queen" Murphy bed (160 X 200 cm) very comfortable. The mattresses in the 2 bedrooms are a little more than 2 years old but only used 6 months a year for the master bedroom. The one in the 2nd bedroom has only been used a few times when we have visitors who stay to sleep.
The kitchen is fully equipped and merges with the dining room and the living room. The kitchen is equipped with all household appliances. Crockpot, bread oven, mixer, etc. are also available.
A 2nd full bathroom with bath and shower and a small office complete our apartment.
In addition to these rooms, our balcony that we use from spring and for as long as fall allows, to have our meals, rest, get some fresh air and even watch TV while respecting the peace and quiet of our neighbours.
A central vacuum and a small robot vacuum cleaner in addition to the devices for washing and drying clothes are very useful.
Our large format TVs offer a variety of French and English channels in addition to Netflix, Disney & Prime.
A superb well-stocked library, a little more than 600 books, different themes, for all ages, including about twenty in English, is also at your disposal.
NOTE THAT THERE IS NO SMALL BED FOR YOUNG CHILDREN AND NO TOYS
Guest Access
Elevators and stairs, rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the Parliament of Canada, the city of Ottawa, the city of Gatineau and the Chaudière Falls, indoor garage, bicycle room, garbage room at the garage level, mailroom at the entrance of the building and a small gymnasium shared by the other occupants of the building. The backyard overlooks the Ottawa River. In addition, access to the bicycle and pedestrian path is just outside the building. This bike and pedestrian path allows you to get to downtown Ottawa safely and/or to Gatineau National Park. 2 bicycles for adults are at your disposal. We can provide you with children's bikes on request.
Notes
PLEASE NOTE that it is FORBIDDEN by the co-owners' agreement to SMOKE in the common areas of our building. This includes ALL PRIVATE BALCONIES AND THE ROOF TERRACE which are considered common areas. No object may be thrown over the balcony railing or hung outwards from the railing. Also, drying clothes is forbidden on balconies.
VERY IMPORTANT, we would like to clarify that it is ALSO STRICTLY FORBIDDEN to SMOKE inside our APARTMENT AND ON THE BALCONY.
Features
Washer
Dishwasher
Clothes dryer
Oven
Microwave
Coffee machine
Fridge
Iron
Hair dryer
Heating
Air conditioning
TV
WiFi
High Speed Internet
Bathtub
First aid kit
Wheelchair accessible
Smoke alarms
Fire extinguisher
Bed sheets
Towels
Workspace
Fireplace
Home cinema
Toys
Gym
Sauna
BBQ
Pool
Hot tub
Balcony
Garden / yard
Deck / patio / courtyard / terrace
Covered porch / verandah
Kosher home
Meat-free kitchen
Gated community
EV Home Charger
Bikes
Camping gear
Kayak
Tennis court
Standup paddleboard
Travel Styles
Long term
Budget
Family
Romantic
Sport and leisure
Foodie
Relaxing
Eco
City
Mountains
Beach
Water
Remote
Skiing
Culture
Hiking
Cycling
Good public transport
Golf
Cross-country skiing
Accessibility
Step free access
Easy entrance
Single level
Elevator
Accessible stairways
Wide hallways
Accessible door handles
Accessible tap hardware
Accessible windows
Accessible bedroom
Accessible height bed
Accessible toilet
Shower stool
Slip resistant bathroom flooring
Handheld shower
Slip resistant kitchen flooring
Accessible parking space
House Rules
Unsuitable for infants under 2
Suitable for children ages 2-12
Pets not allowed
No smoking
Allergens
Cat free
Dog free
Carpet free
Smoke free
Fragrance free
Low allergen
Dates of Availability
Click on availability periods to see exchange types and descriptions.
Neighbourhood
Gatineau is part of the Outaouais tourist region.
Nearby, access to all the highways that will take you to the different regions of Quebec and Ontario.
Restaurants for all tastes and budgets 5 minutes walk from our apartment.
A small bar open only in the summer season offers craft beers from all regions of Quebec.
On our doorstep, the "Voyageurs Trail" bike and walking path, the longest bike path in the world, crosses Canada from one end to the other.
A Zip Line behind our building.
Grocery stores and shopping malls about 15 minutes by car.
The Casino du Lac-Leamy is a 10 minute drive from the house where you could catch live entertainment or try your luck at the slot machines or gaming tables.
Parks and green spaces including Gatineau Park less than 10 minutes from the house accessible by bike, car or foot for walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, beaches, fall colors, etc.
Ottawa's ByWard Market is a 5-minute drive or a 3.5 km walk.
Bus routes to walk around Gatineau or go to downtown Ottawa where the Parliament of Canada is located (3 km from home).
Museums:
- War,
- the Mint,
- Canadian History and Children's Museum,
- Nature,
- Aviation,
- Technologies, etc.
In the summer, the Zibi Festival Area, located right next to our building, hosts various activities, as during the first COVID Summer: a drive-in theater and a stage for shows by artists, comedians and singers have been set up while spectators will remain seated in the comfort of their cars in order to comply with the health rules imposed by government authorities.
In 2019, this same Place des festivals welcomed Cirque du Soleil with its show Alegria. He returned in 2022 with his Kooza presentation which was to be presented in 2021.
The Festibières returns every year and other festivals as well.
All kinds of festivities and festivals usually take place in Canada's National Capital throughout the summer, not to mention Winterlude, which takes place every winter on both sides of the Ottawa River.
In addition, the Casino du Lac Leamy Fireworks (fireworks) usually presented in mid-August are visible from our balcony and the rooftop terrace.
If you are inclined to get a little away from the apartment, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car, you could visit the Parc Omega where the animals live in freedom and where you could rent a cottage for a night to observe the wolves alive in their natural state, pay a visit to the Mackenzie-King Estate bequeathed to Canadians by a former Prime Minister of Canada, go Arbraska, visit the Laflèche Caves, etc.
There are so many things to do and see in the Outaouais.
Getting to my home
The Ottawa International Airport is located about 30 minutes from our home.
Via Rail also located in Ottawa is about 30 minutes away from our house as well.
We are located about 5 to 10 minutes from the various highways that could take you to Montreal, Quebec City or Toronto.
The Montreal International Airport is just under 2 hours from us.
The one in Toronto is 4 hours and 30 minutes from home.
Nearest airport
Ottawa International Airport (30 minutes maximum) (direct flight Ottawa - Paris)
Montreal International Airport (2 hours)
Getting Around
We have 2 public transport services. The one in Gatineau and the one in Ottawa. The 2 companies, although they are independent of each other, honour the correspondence of the competing company. Moreover, the bus stops of the 2 companies are often close to each other, a few minutes walk from our apartment. It takes only a 5 to 10 minute walk to reach the few small grocery stores, pharmacies and wine stores (SAQ). For shopping malls in Gatineau, you have to take the car or public transit since they are 2 to 10 km away. The Ottawa one is about 3.5 km away, however parking is paid but it is possible to park on the street.
We also have a community car "VirtuCar / Communauto" available at the exit of our building for a usage fee.
Map of Approximate Location
People Like Us Local Guide
We already consider you friends. We may meet with you to share a meal at home or at a restaurant. To be a guide to the good addresses in our region and those of Montreal and Quebec City. To give you advice on driving, the Highway Safety Code and the statement of differences in car traffic in Canada versus in France and probably elsewhere in Europe. We could also offer you hospitality for a short stay. Ask us your questions, we will answer them. Welcome to Quebec and especially to the Outaouais Region and the National Capital Region of Canada.
André and Geneviêve's home was beautiful, super central, comfortable, and had everything I needed for my stay. I stayed 3 weeks in their home and would recommend it to anyone going to the Ottawa/Gatineau region. Thank you sooooo much for the lovely experience!
Good morning,
We exchanged our apartment in Gatineau in Quebec, Canada with that of Josée, living in the suburbs of Madrid.
Unfortunately, due to an emergency hospitalization on our part, we were not able to go to Josée's house. However, Josée occupied our residence in Quebec as planned for the duration of our agreement.
Communication with Josée was always very pleasant and simple, from the start of the talks to the end of the exchange.
Josée left our apartment as it was when she arrived, very clean.
Josée really enjoyed her stay with us so much that she plans to return in the near future. Of course, we will not hesitate to accept his offer, hoping that next time we can occupy his apartment and visit Madrid.
We recommend Josée as an exchange partner, you will not regret it.
Geneviève & André
André and Geneviève were very friendly people and they left our house in a perfect condition.
Andre and Genevieve were lovely to host. They are friendly and were respectful to our space. The communication was easy- great experience hosting them!
Mary & Arthur's apartment is very spacious and very clean. 2 nice recliners in the living room to relax in after a good day's walk. Nice big shower just the way we like it. Fully equipped, clean kitchen.
Their building is located in a vibrant shopping area, so many grocery stores, pharmacies, stores, cinemas, restaurants, everything is close by, and many of these shops are open until 10 p.m... which is very convenient for buying food for the next breakfast, and all that without suffering from the festive frenzy when you're inside.
Delft is very pleasant to walk around, but you must watch out for the many bicycles... we've never seen so many. We didn't use public transport, as we prefer to walk.
On the other hand, we took our car to visit the other dazzling regions of the Netherlands, but we could easily have got there by public transport.
We'll have to return to the Netherlands again, as we didn't see everything!
Geneviève & André
Thanks, we are glad you enjoyed and remember whenever you come back to the Netherlands, you are more than welcome to meet again.
Since we first received a message from Mary & Arthur, we felt a good connection. We communicated several times by email and made WhatsApp video calls throughout the process before, during and after the conclusion of this exchange.
We are grateful to Mary & Arthur for offering us this exchange. Otherwise, we might never have been to the Netherlands and that would have been a shame as it's a beautiful country to visit.
We got to know each other well over a light meal when they arrived in Canet en Roussillon. Mary & Arthur are lovely people. They took good care of our home.
What's more, they provided us with leaflets and recommendations of local and regional sites and restaurants that they visited during their stay, to add to our poor collection since we're not much of a restaurant fan.
As the cherry on the cake, Mary & Arthur left us some small gifts, one of which was a nod to our frog collection.
Thank you, Mary & Arthur, for this wonderful exchange, which will remain engraved in our memories.
Geneviève & André
Geneviève and André were glad with our suggestion to exchange and we were glad they were open-minded to accept our offer to visit a country they had never been to. We did meet at lunch with a delicious soup and a basket full of presents..
We had a great time in the spacious and comfortable appartment of Geneviève and André. The great view from the windows and balcony was always fascinating. Surroundings, little French villages were great. We did feel like home.
We stayed with Megan in exchange for a Globe. Communication was very good. We appreciated Megan's speed in responding to our last-minute request and accommodating us. Her home is very conveniently located near downtown Charlottetown. Thank you, Megan!
We stayed with Megan in exchange for a Globe. Communication was very good. We appreciated Megan's speed in responding to our last-minute request and accommodating us. Her home is very conveniently located near downtown Charlottetown. Thank you, Megan!
We started chatting with Leila at the end of April and subsequently communicated at least 1 or 2 dozen times 😉 after that either in writing or on WhatsApp video calls. These discussions with Leila and her husband, Ken and their 2 boys allowed us to get to know each other and to trust each other.
As we couldn't make a simultaneous exchange, we came to an exchange agreement via a Globe. Leila and her family are now our friends.
Leila was on her first exchange and needed to be reassured, but above all to be convinced of the benefits of home exchange. We now feel that she won't do without it.
Being in Quebec at the time of this exchange, we were unable to personally check the condition of our apartment after their departure, but we are convinced that it is in its original condition.
Thank you, Leila, for trusting us and we are especially happy to know that you loved your 1st home exchange.
Geneviève & André
We have never met Jeanne and Antoine except via WhatsApp but we are convinced that we have made new friends.
They occupied our residence in Canet en Roussillon in exchange for a Globe. But above all, we communicated with them multiple times either via the Messages option on the PLU site, via our respective email addresses or even via WhatsApp.
Communications have always been friendly, respectful and above all FRIENDLY.
Jeanne and Antoine even volunteered to buy the small additional gifts that we wanted to add to the welcome basket intended for the PLU family who would occupy our apartment following their stay.
Being, at the moment, a little too far from Canet en Roussillon, we were unable to check, after their departure, if our apartment was clean and met our criteria. But, we are not at all worried and even rather confident that the next visitors will have nothing to complain about this residence. They will just have to settle in and enjoy the beach and the activities that this region offers.
We hope that one day, we will be able to meet them in person either during a future exchange or during a GET TOGETHER organized by PLU in a region where we would be there at the same time as them.
Thank you Jeanne & Antoine for this budding friendship and for ensuring that our apartment in Canet is ready for future occupants.
Geneviève & André
Unfortunately, due to an emergency hospitalization on our part, we were not able to go to Josée's house.
However, Josée occupied our residence in Quebec as planned for the duration of our agreement.
Communication with Josée was always very pleasant and simple, from the start of the talks to the end of the exchange.
Good morning,
We exchanged our apartment in Gatineau in Quebec, Canada with that of Josée, living in the suburbs of Madrid.
Unfortunately, due to an emergency hospitalization on our part, we were not able to go to Josée's house. However, Josée occupied our residence in Quebec as planned for the duration of our agreement.
Communication with Josée was always very pleasant and simple, from the start of the talks to the end of the exchange.
Josée left our apartment as it was when she arrived, very clean.
Josée really enjoyed her stay with us so much that she plans to return in the near future. Of course, we will not hesitate to accept his offer, hoping that next time we can occupy his apartment and visit Madrid.
We recommend Josée as an exchange partner, you will not regret it.
Geneviève & André
Hospitality
Sandrine and her family had contacted us to do a mutual home exchange with our apartment in Canet en Roussillon in France and their second home in the mountains also in France.
Unfortunately, this was not possible for us, as our time spent outside of Canada, being Canadian, over the past year had already passed. So we offered them hospitality. This allowed them to enjoy the wonderful climate of Canet, the beach, the sea, etc. and this, in all family intimacy.
The many written, telephone and video exchanges allowed us to get to know each other well and to trust each other.
The discussions with Sandrine and her spouse were easy and pleasant. They never hesitated to contact us when they had any questions and even saved us from a real water damage problem as the bathroom sink pipe was leaking and some water had started to accumulate in the drawer below. Thank you Sandrine and Laurent for this troubleshooting.
At the end of their stay, Sandrine made us a short video of our apartment to show us how they left our apartment. A very good idea this video that protects visitors and reassures owners.
Thank you Sandrine and Laurent for trusting us. We can't wait to meet you face-to-face, surely next fall or winter.
We give you a big hug to each of you... Sandrine, Laurent, Jules and the biggest
Genevieve and André
Premium
André et Geneviève
We are a young couple who have been married for 46 years and retired. We speak French and English.
We are both allergic to animals.
Please note that our 2 residences are never rented. We share them with our friends, family members as well as our future home exchange friends.
"Nous aimerions visiter des Marchés de Noël en France ou ailleurs en Europe mais pas trop loin de la France."
Dates Flexible
"À l'été 2025, nous aimerions faire le tour de la Gaspésie avec nos petits-enfants (fille 13 ans et garçon 15 ans)... au mois d'août de préférence."
Dates Flexible
"À l'été 2026, à la demande de nos petits-enfants, nous aimerions faire le tour de l'Allemagne. Ils seront alors âgés de 14 et 16 ans."
People Like Us is the world's most trusted home exchange community. We believe in sharing, trust, generosity, respect, communication, equality, cooperation, honesty, hospitality, friendship, flexibility and adventure. We take pride in our homes and we care about the environment in which we live: our village, city, country and our planet. We care about the ethos of home exchange and we do it because we love the experience and the friendships that it generates.
Welcome to Canada ! The Parliament of Canada seen from our balcony !
It's us ! André and Geneviève retired. We were both managers in the field of information technology.
This is where we live! On the 5th floor. Elevators, underground parking, 2 bedrooms, roof terrace.
To help you locate where we live!
The main room: our fully equipped kitchen!
The dining area and part of the living room!
Master bedroom with adjustable bed (King), electric fireplace, television.
Washroom with showers adjoining the master bedroom.
This is the 2nd bedroom. Large pull-out double bed (Queen).
Toilet room with shower bath for guests.
Library and small office area! Over 600 books in all categories (about fifteen in English)
The decoration is not finished but it is a start!
Everything you need to keep the apartment and your clothes clean!
Cirque du Soleil visits us frequently. He is our neighbor and presently there setting up his marquee. Shows from August 26 until the 3rd week of September 2022. Also, Casino du Lac Leamy fireworks from the 1st week of August. Photo taken from our balcony.
Come skate on the longest ice rink in the world. Less than 10 minutes by car from home.
Another view of the longest ice rink in the world. Less than 10 minutes by car from home.
Visit the Mackenzie King Estate in Gatineau Park. This site was bequeathed to the Canadian Government by the 10th Prime Minister of Canada upon his death. Only 25 kilometers from our house.
Ottawa Tulip Festival. Every year in May.
Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival. Every year during the 1st weekend of September.
Activities for children and adults at Arbraska and Caverne Laflèche 30 km from the house.
Comments from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
Another comment from an exchange partner following a home exchange made through another platform.
There you have it, now you know that you can entrust us with your home without worry.