Make a detour!
I was first built on the east bank of the Gatineau, which was diverted so that water could flow through me. Now that’s practical!
A hundred years old and as energetic as ever, I’m a true gem of regional industrial history! If you’re visiting the Outaouais and are looking for a great free activity, why not pop in to see me? It’s sure to be a unique outing, whether you come alone, with friends or with the family!
After walking along the dam and the spillway, step into the heart of the action – which is to say, inside one of my generating units, where you can look straight up to admire a 160‑tonne rotor in action! I know you’ll love the experience... and the sensations! And I’m sure you’ll also be impressed by my unique structures.
The guides will be more than happy to share my story with you. Before the Gatineau was developed to generate hydropower, it was used for log driving. But that’s all I’ll say for now. To unlock all my secrets, you’ll have to come for a visit. I can’t wait to see you!
Have a look at these pictures for a hint of what your guided tour has in store for you!
I was first built on the east bank of the Gatineau, which was diverted so that water could flow through me. Now that’s practical!
As my facades and volumes are rather uncluttered and my composition was influenced by the Beaux‑Arts style, it’s often said that I’m a model of rationalist industrial architecture.
In 1926, the Baskatong reservoir was created to regulate the flow of the Gatineau and supply generating stations downstream. I’m located about 200 kilometres away from the reservoir. A drop of water flowing from the reservoir thus travels seven days before passing through one of my turbines.
Some images are from the Hydro‑Québec Archives.
Visitors aged 18 and over must present official photo ID.
(Accepted ID: health insurance card, driver’s license or passport)
Reservations are required at all times and must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
About 90 minutes
Tours start at set times. We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes in advance.
From mid-June to the end of August
Tour times
Four tours per day: 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.
Looking for original tours featuring science, history and technical know-how? Hydro‑Québec’s got just the ticket!
Check it out!
Chelsea Generating Station – Interpretation Center
47, rue Vieux‑Chemin
Cantley (Québec) J8V 2W2
Tel. : 1 800 365-5229Tel. : 1 800 365-5229 (between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.)
Get in touch by email.
The tour of the generating station is on foot and includes some stairs. It is partially accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The tour is suitable for adults and school‑age children but is not recommended for children under the age of two, for safety reasons.
Electric and/or magnetic fields may disrupt operation of pacemakers, implantable automatic defibrillators and processors in cochlear implants. As a precaution, visitors with these types of medical implants may not participate in the part of the tour that takes place inside the generating station.
Those with a neurostimulator must temporarily stop the device before entering the generating station. If they are unable to stop the device, they are advised not to enter.
For regular tours, there is no risk of interference for insulin pumps.
Visitors must wear flat, closed‑toe shoes and the safety gear (hard hat, safety glasses and headphones) provided to them to enter the generating station.
Part of the tour takes place outdoors, so dress accordingly!
Free parking
Restrooms
The starting point of the tour is the generating station’s interpretation centre. Here’s how to get there from the Hull sector:
(Those arriving via Route 307 South should instead turn right onto Vieux‑Chemin Street.)
The parking lot is located at the end of the access road; visitors will then need to walk to the interpretation centre.
For additional information
Free admission
Reservations are required at
all times
and must be made at least
24 hours in advance.
To reserve a free guided tour in
English, please call
1 800 365-5229
1 800 365-5229
.
Get in touch by
email.