Updated June 2026 · by John, owner
Lac-Simon is about 1h30 from Ottawa, 1h15 from Gatineau, and 2 hours from Montreal — via Autoroute 50 to Exit 205, then Route 321 north through Chénéville.
Lac-Simon is 1 hour 30 minutes from Ottawa and 2 hours from Montreal. The route is simple — Autoroute 50 to Exit 205, then Route 321 north through Chénéville. Here's the breakdown for trip planning.
From Ottawa: about 1 hour 30 minutes
From Ottawa, cross to Gatineau and take Autoroute 50 east. About 50 minutes gets you to Exit 205 (Route 321 / Papineauville). Take Route 321 north: the last 35-40 minute stretch passes through Chénéville before you reach Lac-Simon. Door-to-door is 1 hour 30 minutes in normal traffic.
From Montreal: about 2 hours
From Montreal, take Autoroute 15 north, then Autoroute 50 west at Mirabel. Autoroute 50 west takes you to Exit 205: about 1 hour 20 minutes from Montreal. Then Route 321 north to Chénéville and Lac-Simon. Door-to-door is 2 hours in normal traffic. The second half of the drive is rural and light, so delays are rare once you're past Mirabel.
From Gatineau: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Gatineau is the shortest approach at about 1 hour 15 minutes. Autoroute 50 is direct from Gatineau to Exit 205 (about 45 minutes), then 30-35 minutes on Route 321 through Chénéville. Useful for a day trip or weekend from the National Capital Region.
Seasonal conditions
Summer (June to September): dry roads, light traffic, no issues. Route 148, which parallels Autoroute 50 along the Ottawa River, is worth the detour for the view. Winter: AWD recommended.
Where to stop along the way
Groceries: the last full-service grocery before the chalet is the Metro in Chénéville (45 Rue Albert-Ferland), about 10 minutes from Lac-Simon. Load up for the full stay. Parc national de Plaisance: 10-minute detour via Exit 197 (one exit before 205 coming from Ottawa), good for a leg-stretch in summer. Fromagerie Montebello (664-A Rue Notre-Dame, Montebello): natural stop coming from Montreal, or a short detour via Exit 210 coming from Ottawa. Fresh cheese and local yogurt. Gas: the last station before the chalet is the Ultramar in Chénéville (115 Rue Principale).
Frequently asked questions
How far is Lac-Simon from the airport?
Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is about 1 hour 50 minutes away, and Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) about 2 hours — both straightforward via Autoroute 50. Most guests fly into Ottawa, rent a car, and drive up.
Do I need a car, or is there public transit to Lac-Simon?
You need a car. Lac-Simon is rural with no public transit, taxi, or rideshare service, and the chalet has self check-in. Parking is free on site.
Will my GPS and cell signal work on the drive?
The route is simple — Autoroute 50 to Exit 205, then Route 321 north through Chénéville. Bell and Telus have reliable coverage at the chalet, but signal can be patchy on the last rural stretch, so it's worth downloading offline directions before you leave the highway.
What are the roads like in winter?
Route 321 is a plowed, maintained provincial road. Allow extra time after snowfall. Quebec law requires winter tires from December 1 to March 15, and AWD or 4×4 is recommended for the hilly final approach to the chalet.
Where are the nearest groceries, gas, and pharmacy?
All three are in Chénéville, about 10 minutes from the chalet: the Metro grocery (45 Rue Albert-Ferland), an Ultramar gas station (115 Rue Principale), and a pharmacy. It's the last full set of services before the lake, so stock up on the way in.