Nestled on the banks of the Ottawa River, about halfway between Hull and Montreal, the little village of Montebello has been a-bustle with activity since Seigneur Louis-Joseph built his manor home here around 1850. Today, the town and surrounding area bear the indelible mark of the important landholder, whose surname pops up on various street signs, a wildlife preservation area, and even a nearby township. In the 1930s, the area’s fame and tourist economy received a boost when the Lucerne resort opened, giving city-dwellers from as far away as Toronto and Upstate New York a rustic recreational estate wherein they could relax, play and enjoy the highlife. In the early 1970s, the Lucerne was renamed Le Château Montebello. His beautiful log structure has hosted a variety of national and international events, including the 1981 Economic Summit and the 1983 NATO Conference. Explore the village of Montebello, and you’ll find several cozy antique shops and eateries, each of them boasting that Petite-Nation friendliness that so marks the area. Adventurous tourists will want to plan excursions to nearby Kenauk, a reserve maintained by Fairmont and part of Papineau’s original estate, where fishing, hiking, bird-watching, rafting and even off-roading are available.