Hotel Chez Henri, 2004
© CMCC, photo: Harry Foster, no. D2005-00079

Chez Henri
179 Promenade du Portage

This hotel is the only "Renaissance castle" building in the city of Gatineau. Its history is related to the celebrated chef Henry Burger who established the hotel in 1929. Founded at a time when prohibition was in force beyond Quebec's borders, the hotel offered luxury and gastronomy. The economic crisis, Burger's departure and the abolition of prohibition affected the quality of the service, and the hotel's clientele deteriorated. The establishment lost its reputation and the building lost its sheen. Nevertheless, because of its history and its architecture, it was declared a historical monument by the City of Gatineau in 2003.

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Further information

Latitude North  45.42691  Longitude  West  -75.71522

Le Bistro on fire, 2003.
© CMCC, photo: Harry Foster, no. D2005-00080

The above photo shows the Chez Henri (on the right hand side) during a fire that took place in the daylight hours of February 7, 2003. The fire gutted a popular bar and restaurant called Le Bistro, a historic building in its own right. Luckily the fire was contained, for it could have spread to a number of other historic buildings in a picturesque laneway.

Le Bistro after restoration, 2003.
© CMCC, photo: Harry Foster