Les meilleurs hôtels à Ottawa

Ottawa didn’t become Canada’s capital city because it was the largest and most powerful city of its time -- it wasn’t. When asked to name a capital for the newly united Province of Canada in 1857, Queen Victoria chose this muddy lumber town because it was on the border between two powerful neighbors: French-speaking Quebec and British-dominated Ontario. Today, Ottawa is a fascinating city, full of the grandeur and beauty of a world capital. Parliament Hill sits on a bluff above the Ottawa River, with three massive, castle-like buildings holding the House of Commons, the Senate and other offices, all protected by regiments of red-coated Ceremonial Guards.
Ottawa's symbolic role as the nation's capital is perhaps most apparent in the city's distinguished collection of museums. Some of Canada's -- and the world's -- finest artifacts, liveliest programs and most-learned curators dwell in the National Capital Region. The Canadian Museum of Civilization has undertaken an ambitious task. As the national museum of human history, no topic is too small for its consideration: its impressive collection of 3.75 million artifacts includes a grain of rice engraved with Canada's map. The National Museum of Science and Technology wants the public to understand the relationships between science, technology and Canadian society, whilethe National Gallery of Canada boasts the largest collection of Canadian art in the world and the largest collection of European and American art in Canada. And the Canadian War Museum has its own important collection of wartime art, as well as military dress, arms and technical equipment, and documents.Ottawa also has many other treasures, from beautiful old homes and buildings to the Rideau Canal and the nearby Gatineau Park region.