Ontario is Canada's most populous province and one of its most contrasting. Bordered to the west by Manitoba, to the north by Hudson Bay, and to the east by Quebec, it shares a long border with the United States to the south. Its expanse surpasses that of many European countries, and its landscapes vary dramatically from region to region. A single province, yet with realities that have little in common.

History

Long before the arrival of Europeans, Ontario was inhabited by peoples with distinct cultures: the Cree to the north, the Ojibwe and Algonquin around Lake Superior, the Huron-Wendat further south. Their traces remain perceptible today, in place names, traditions, and the collective memory of the province. The French arrived in the 17th century, followed by the English, and it is this colonial rivalry that durably shaped Ontario's identity, caught between English-speaking heritage and British dominance.

After Confederation in 1867, the province experienced rapid growth driven by immigration, the exploitation of natural resources, and industrial development. Toronto gradually emerged as Canada's economic centre, a role it has maintained ever since.

What to See in Ontario?

Niagara Falls

At 50 metres high, Niagara Falls ranks among the most impressive natural sites in North America. The promenade from Rainbow Bridge to Table Rock allows you to get as close as possible, while the Skylon Tower offers a vantage point over the entire site. Nearby, the Niagara Peninsula forms the province's main wine region, renowned for its ice wine.

Toronto

The CN Tower dominates a dense skyline, but Toronto reveals its true personality in its neighbourhoods. The Distillery District, a converted former distillery turned pedestrian area, Kensington Market, and the Scarborough Bluffs each offer a different facet of the city. The Royal Ontario Museum spans global cultures and natural sciences across five floors, while Casa Loma, a 98-room manor from the early 20th century, provides an unexpected historical counterpoint at the heart of the metropolis.

Ottawa

As the federal capital, Ottawa is best visited at a leisurely pace. The Rideau Canal, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, runs through the city, and Parliament Hill overlooks the Ottawa River. The concentration of national museums here is remarkable. The Canadian Museum of History, located in Gatineau across from the capital, traces a thousand years of human presence on Canadian territory.

Bruce Peninsula National Park

Designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, Bruce Peninsula Park offers limestone cliffs plunging into surprisingly blue waters, between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. The hike to The Grotto constitutes one of the park's most remarkable trails.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario's oldest provincial park sprawls across more than 2,500 lakes and 1,600 kilometres of waterways in the heart of mixed forest. Autumn is particularly striking here, when maples and birches blanket the landscape in red and gold. Moose, black bears, and deer populate this territory of rare wildlife richness.

Point Pelee National Park

Located at the southernmost point of continental Canada, Point Pelee National Park extends across a 16-kilometre sand spit. Positioned on two major migration corridors, it welcomes some 350 bird species in spring and autumn, making it one of the country's most renowned birdwatching sites.

Thousand Islands National Park

On the Saint Lawrence River, Thousand Islands National Park protects an archipelago of 1,865 granite islands with varied ecosystems. Established in 1904, it offers remarkable biodiversity at the junction of the Canadian Shield and the Adirondack Mountains.

Manitoulin Island

Located on Lake Huron, Manitoulin Island is the world's largest freshwater island. It is also a living territory of Anishinaabe First Nations culture, giving it a cultural dimension that few of the province's natural destinations can match.

Sandbanks Provincial Park

On the shores of Lake Ontario, Sandbanks Provincial Park is home to the world's largest freshwater dune formation. Its three fine-sand beaches offer an unexpected seaside experience for a continental province.

What to Do in Ontario?

Hiking

The Bruce Trail stretches nearly 900 kilometres between Niagara Falls and Tobermory, following the Niagara Escarpment with regular viewpoints over Georgian Bay. It can be explored over a few hours or several days depending on your preference. Among other notable trails:

• The Lookout Trail in Algonquin Park, a two-kilometre loop offering a panorama of hundreds of square kilometres of forest

• The Cup and Saucer Trail on Manitoulin Island, climbing to limestone cliffs 70 metres high with several variations depending on difficulty level

Canoeing and Kayaking

Ontario's waterways offer exceptional conditions for canoeing and kayaking. The most remarkable options:

• Lake Superior Provincial Park, with eight marked routes across 150 kilometres of waterways, from most accessible to most demanding.

• The Thousand Islands, to explore by kayak or canoe from island to island on the Saint Lawrence.

Lake Superior Scenic Drive

From Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, Trans-Canada Highway 17 hugs the north shore of Lake Superior for 700 kilometres of shoreline and forest. It passes through Lake Superior Provincial Park and borders Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, whose cliffs plunge directly into the lake.

Wine Country Discovery

The Niagara Peninsula contains virtually all of Ontario's wine production. Dozens of wineries offer tastings, with a local specialty worth discovering: ice wine, produced from grapes harvested after the first frosts.

Wildlife Watching

The province offers remarkable conditions for observing wild animals. Two sites stand out particularly:

• Algonquin Park, one of the best places to observe moose in their natural habitat

• Point Pelee, whose particularly dense migration passages in spring and autumn attract bird enthusiasts.

When to Visit?

Ontario experiences a pronounced continental climate, with summers that can exceed 30°C and winters that regularly drop to around 25°C below zero. The May to October period remains the most accessible. Spring reopens the maple forests and trails, summer brings festivals to the cities, autumn sets the forests ablaze with colour, and winter appeals to those drawn to snowmobiling, snowshoeing, or skating on the Rideau Canal.

From Europe, Ontario is accessible by several means of transport depending on your point of departure.

• By air: Toronto Pearson International Airport is the province's main entry point, with direct connections to major European and North American cities. Ottawa International Airport is a more sensible gateway for those planning to start their trip in the federal capital. Regional airports serve the north of the province, notably Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie.

• By train: from Quebec, VIA Rail operates regular rail connections between Montreal and Toronto, a convenient alternative for reaching the province without transiting through an airport.

• By bus: from the United States or Quebec, bus companies cover the main routes to the province's major cities, generally with accessible fares.

The province's expanse requires careful planning of your travels. Options vary depending on the region and type of stay envisaged.

• By car: this is the best way to explore the province in depth, particularly the provincial parks, scenic routes, and remote northern regions.

• By public transport: Toronto and Ottawa each have an efficient urban network covering the city and surrounding areas, sufficient to visit both capitals without a personal vehicle.

• By bike: cycling is a pleasant option both in urban settings and in the countryside, with bike paths in major cities and marked routes through the Niagara Peninsula vineyards or along the Ottawa River.