Explore Lac-Simon & Outaouais
Four-season activities, restaurants and services — everything you need for your stay
Lac-Simon is located in the heart of Petite-Nation, in the Outaouais region of Quebec. Just 1.5 hours from Ottawa and 2.5 hours from Montreal, it's an ideal base for exploring the region's parks, trails, ski resorts and charming villages. Here's a complete guide to everything you can do during your stay at Chalet Beach House.
Events near Lac-Simon
Festivals, concerts, markets and seasonal activities — calendar updated monthly.
→Activities
On the Lake
Private Sandy Beach
150 ft of fine sand on Lac-Simon.
Kayak & Pedal Boat
Included with rental. Explore the lakeshore.
Fishing — Lac-Simon
Lake trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and other species. QC license required.
Free public beach with lifeguards. Kayak and SUP rentals (Padkay).
Denis-Papin Lookout
Magnificent Lac-Simon vantage point, Creuse Bay.
2 km beach, 17 km of trails, camping, equipment rental. Four seasons.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing available in the region, notably at Lac de la Ferme near Duhamel, depending on ice conditions.
Marina, pontoon / fishing boat / rowboat rentals. Reservation required.
Public boat launch. Non-residents: $110 for a 48-hour pass per launch. Hull wash required before every launch.
Lac Gagnon Beach
Public beach on a second quiet lake in Duhamel. About 0.8 km of sand.
Outdoor & Summer Sports
Fall Foliage
Spectacular scenery late September to mid-October.
Allons au Bois Trails
3 km trail network behind Parc Robert-Latour, Chénéville. Village lookout.
Fenced municipal dog park. Great for guests with pets.
18-hole mini-golf, tennis, pickleball, basketball, pétanque, table tennis. June 20–Sept.
Hiking
Papineau-Labelle, Kenauk, Gatineau Park. All levels.
18-hole par-72 course. Pro shop, restaurant.
Berry Picking
Blueberries and raspberries in season, Papineau-Labelle Reserve.
18-hole course with on-site inn and restaurant. Winter snowshoe + cross-country trails too.
20 km Sentier National trail between Lacs Gagnon and Preston. Lookouts, old-growth forest.
18-hole course on the Fairmont Château Montebello estate. Ottawa River views. Equipment rental available.
Nature & Parks
1,600 km², 760 lakes. Hiking, canoe-camping, fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ATV.
Wetland national park — boardwalks on stilts, birdwatching, cycling and canoeing. Camping.
Drive-through safari, 2,200 acres. Moose, bison, wolves, bears. Open year-round.
70 lakes, fly fishing, hiking, dog sledding, floating sauna.
200 km cross-country ski trails, Champlain Lookout, beaches, hiking.
Ski & Winter Sports
Snowmobiling — Trans-Québec Trail 43
Access to the network nearby from the shore depending on ice conditions. 2,280 km in Outaouais. Mid-Dec to mid-March.
Lit forest skating trail, sledding hill, 13 km ski/snowshoe/fat-bike trails. Heated cabin. Free.
Snow tubing, snowshoeing, fat biking, skating. Family-friendly rates.
Regional Cross-Country Skiing
Groomed trails at Papineau-Labelle and Gatineau Park.
Dog-sled tours in the St-Sixte valley. Up to 8 guests per outing.
102 ski runs, gondola, pedestrian village, spa. Eastern Canada's largest resort.
Hunting
Moose Hunting
Zones 12 and 14, September–October. 2026 draw for antlerless moose.
White-Tailed Deer Hunting
October–November. Firearms and archery. QC license required.
Small Game
Grouse, hare, waterfowl. September to March depending on species.
Local Artisans & Products
Les Pommes Perdues Cidery
Artisanal cider from local apples. Tasting and shop.
Fabrik Artisanale
Boutique dedicated to local crafts and handmade creations.
Gallery and museum of watercolour artist Jean-Yves Guindon — bucolic landscapes and a print shop. Seasonal exhibitions.
Vineyard + u-pick strawberries and raspberries on 75 acres. Wine tastings and traditional-method sparkling wines.
Local history museum — 1,000+ 19th-century artifacts, a heritage trail and footbridge. Open in summer.
9,000-vine vineyard — tastings at the shop and terrace. Petite-Nation wines.
Family-owned artisanal cheesemaker. Local cheeses, charcuterie, fresh bread, cheese bar with Ottawa River views. Open year-round.
Ancestral Papineau estate explored with costumed guides. Free admission for under 18. Open mid-May to mid-October.
Artisan chocolate maker in the former train station. Organic, fair-trade chocolate; watch the chocolatier at work.
City Getaways
Montebello
Fairmont Château Montebello (world's largest log cabin), Parc Omega.
Mont-Tremblant Village
Pedestrian village, shops, restaurants, Casino.
Ottawa
Parliament, Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, national museums.
Gatineau
Canadian Museum of History, Casino du Lac-Leamy.
🍽️Dining
Fabrik Café-Déjeuner
70 rue Albert-Ferland, Chénéville
Chénéville · ~10 min
Local breakfast café — homemade breakfasts and brunches.
58 rue Principale, Chénéville · 819-428-3240
Chénéville · ~10 min
Canadian restaurant, steaks and grills.
160 rue Principale, Chénéville · 819-428-3044
Chénéville · ~10 min
Friendly bistro-bar — pub fare, local beers, occasional live music.
931 rue Principale, Duhamel · 819-428-3333
Duhamel · ~10 min
Sandwiches, pizza and smoked meat in a warm atmosphere.
Casse-Croûte Lac-Simon
889 ch. du Tour-du-Lac, Lac-Simon · 1-888-661-6786
Lac-Simon · ~10 min
Poutine, pizzas, and sandwiches with a lakeside terrace.
44 rue Principale, Chénéville · 819-428-1250
Chénéville · ~10 min
Inventive cuisine, local products and craft cocktails. Brunch and dinner in a friendly atmosphere.
1348 Route 321, Duhamel · 819-428-9085
Duhamel · ~10 min
Texas-style BBQ smokehouse: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac and cheese. All homemade. Riverside terrace.
212 chemin des Jonquilles, Duhamel · 819-743-5878
Duhamel · ~20 min
French gastronomic cuisine — fresh local products, daily-changing menu. Warm atmosphere on Petit Lac Preston.
519 Route 323, Namur · 819-426-3300
Namur · ~20 min
Family restaurant — pizza, Canadian cuisine, breakfast and dinner. Casual atmosphere.
46 rue Principale, Ripon · 819-981-1666
Ripon · ~25 min
Non-profit community café — local organic products, fresh food, and cultural events in Ripon's former rectory.
198 rue Principale, Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-3966
Saint-André-Avellin · ~25 min
Relaxed café-bistro — pizzas, pasta, gluten-free options. Summer terrace.
11 rue Principale, Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-6211
Saint-André-Avellin · ~25 min
Classic roadside snack bar — burgers, poutine, hot dogs. Popular pit stop.
618 Route 321 N, Saint-André-Avellin · 819-516-0555
Saint-André-Avellin · ~30 min
Bistro-bar — duck confit, flank steak, fresh pasta, house-smoked salmon and gourmet burgers. Terrace, cocktails, and private dining room. Popular breakfasts.
612 Route 321 Sud, Saint-André-Avellin
Saint-André-Avellin · ~30 min
Soft-serve and hard ice cream, sundaes, dairy bar. Open seasonally in summer.
Chez Angèle
357 rue Papineau, Papineauville · 819-427-9119
Papineauville · ~35 min
Warm family diner — breakfast and lunch, friendly welcome. Open daily.
485 rue Notre-Dame, Montebello · 819-309-0607
Montebello · ~45 min
Craft microbrewery — tap room and patio. Beers inspired by regional history.
570 rue Notre-Dame, Montebello · 819-423-6900
Montebello · ~45 min
Wood-fired pizzas, burgers, and creative poutines in a 200-year-old building. Quebec pub atmosphere. Evening delivery.
392 rue Notre-Dame, Montebello · 819-423-6341
Montebello · ~45 min
Fine dining in a historic setting. Renowned Sunday brunch.
📍Essential Services
CLSC Petite-Nation
Health Centre
14 rue Saint-André, Saint-André-Avellin · 819-983-7341
~30 min · Saint-André-Avellin
Hospital — 24/7 ER
155 boulevard Maclaren Est, Gatineau · 819-986-3341
~50 min · Gatineau (Buckingham)
Caisse Desjardins (ATM)
Bank + ATM
79 rue Principale, Chénéville · 819-983-7313
~10 min · Chénéville
Dépanneur Bélanger & Proteau
Convenience store
70 rue Principale, Chénéville · 819-428-3487
~10 min · Chénéville
Dollar Store
Dollar / discount store
80 rue Albert-Ferland, Chénéville · 819-428-1608
~10 min · Chénéville
Ready to Discover?
Book your stay at Chalet Beach House — your base for discovering Lac-Simon.
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