Saturday, August 3, 2019

Exploring The Streets Of Gatineau

One day in mid-July I headed over to the Portage Bridge to photograph the view downstream from here, something I do regularly for a post I'll next have in September. I decided I'd head for the Chaudiere Falls, and to do so by going to it through Gatineau. And so I began a bit of a stroll on the Quebec side of the river. The Portage Bridge emerges into Gatineau at Place du Portage, a large complex of federal government office buildings constructed in the 1970s and 1980s. Note the difference in traffic lights in Quebec.


I've been in the Portage complex the odd time, and as this was a hot day, I decided to stop in at one of the stores inside for a drink. I paused to photograph this atrium.


Leaving, I photographed this colourful wall.


Here we have a street underpass amid the complex. I've been through here in a bus, but not on foot, and it's long enough to feel less like a bridge and more like a tunnel.


A side path gave me this view- the spires of Parliament Hill across the river.


Eager to get on my way, I chose a route through streets I hadn't been in before, though I wasn't lost; I have a pretty good inner compass, and the high buildings of the Portage complex were always in sight. Homes and shops here are a bit over a century old, built after the Great Fire of 1900. The city has its roots going back to the first years of the 19th century, earlier than Ottawa, in fact. In recent years amalgamation of three cities- Alymer, Hull, and Gatineau- along with a couple of other municipalities resulted in the larger city of Gatineau, but for many years, most Canadians were familiar with seeing the city name Hull in their atlases coming up through school. The historic sector of Gatineau is actually east of here, on the east shore of the Gatineau River. Hull refers to the central sector.


That mural caught my eye. The neighbourhood has several markings of a recent initiative- the Sentier Culturel, or Cultural Trail.


My path brought me to a pedestrian zone centred around a good many restaurants. The overhead decorations caught my eye. I diverted into this area. We'll pick up here tomorrow.

30 comments:

  1. Most reminds me of former GDR - and... where are people?
    The pedestrian zone looks nice, but also empty...?

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  2. Nice buildings and streets. But the place looks very quiet.

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  3. The restaurant area with the overhead decorations looks a pretty place in which to wander.

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  4. Looks like a nice pleasant town !

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  5. I was happy when they changed the name from Hull to Gatineau. Hull evokes the image of a grimy industrial town.

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  6. gosh are those birds? maybe pin wheels? very cool above decor. neat-O!! ( ;
    neat area.

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  7. ...the narrow street looks like we are in Europe!

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  8. Hello, wonderful tour of the city. I like the colorful walls and mural. The pedestrian way is nice! Enjoy your weekend!

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  9. @Catarina: so do I.

    @Iris: busier on a Saturday night.

    @Nancy: at least for the moment.

    @Rosemary: I agree.

    @Gattina: it can be.

    @David: Gatineau is a good name.

    @Beth: perhaps both.

    @Francisco: thanks.

    @Tom: i can see that.

    @Eileen: thanks!

    @Marie: as did I.

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  10. Nice place to walk. I like the cheerful mural.

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  11. Lovely neighborhood with decorations. It reminds me of the Boston area.

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  12. Ah, another stroll through city streets, which are clean and beautifully decorated!

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  13. Lovely 'photo walk' with you ~ thanks, ^_^

    Happy Day to You,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  14. I love all those street scenes.

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  15. The street scences are nice to see. The town look peaceful and clean.

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  16. I've never been across the river to Gatineau so looking forward to more of your tour, William!

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  17. @DJan: so do I.

    @Maywyn: I can see that.

    @Barbara: this area looks pleasant.

    @Carol: you're welcome.

    @Sharon: thank you!

    @Bill: at least at that time of day. I imagine Saturday nights here can be quite hectic.

    @RedPat: I don't get over into Gatineau as often as I should.

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  18. The most pleasant walk with native.

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  19. It is amazing how much more you see walking than hurrying by in a car. Interesting post.

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  20. I remember when I was a teenager, and my grandmother gave me the run of Cleveland while she was at work, I always oriented myself to the terminal tower. I do something similar yet; my internal compass is quite faulty.

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  21. Walking like this is my favorite way to explore a city. You can see so many more interesting things.

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  22. Is this the first time we've been on the Quebec side William? Looks so nice, looking forward to seeing more ✨

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  23. I like their street lights! I havne't been there is ages.

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  24. I really like the overhead decorations.

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  25. This is a fun walk! I hope you enjoyed a lunch at one of those good places!

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  26. @Cloudia: it was a nice walk.

    @Janey: walking is good for exploring.

    @Joanne: my internal compass is good.

    @Kay: you really do.

    @Grace: I don't get into Gatineau as often as I should.

    @Italiafinlandia: it's a good mix.

    @Jennifer: it's been a few weeks for me.

    @Jenn: me too.

    @Jeanie: I should return sometime soon and do so.

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