Discover Val-des-Monts

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On behalf of Municipal Council, I’m delighted to welcome you to the Municipality of Val-des-Monts’ official website.

We recognize the critical role that communications play in helping us provide our citizens with the best possible service. This website bears witness to that, as it gives you access to everything from municipal news, by-laws and lists of activities and services to tourist destinations, upcoming projects and handy online forms.

Do visit the site regularly, because we intend to update and expand it constantly. What’s more, to stay abreast of the latest in municipal affairs, consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter.  

Val-des-Monts enjoys the best of both worlds, as the saying goes. It’s just a few minutes by car to all the conveniences of Ottawa-Gatineau, Canada’s capital region, yet nestled among the forests, lakes and fauna of the gorgeous Gatineau Hills.

Mind you, despite its natural surroundings, Val-des-Monts is by no means a sleepy town, as it resonates with bustling businesses and community agencies, talented artists and craftspeople, along with a bevy of cultural venues, heritage sites and tourist attractions.

We hope to see you soon in our little piece of paradise.  

Jules Dagenais,
Mayor

Settlers began clearing the land and establishing homesteads across our lake-, river- and resource-rich region in the 19th century. The whole area was ultimately divided into concessions that were then awarded to settlers for their homes and farms. At the time, residents worked mainly in the mining and forestry sectors.[RM1] 

Over the years, roads, bridges, mills, sawmills, churches, post offices, general stores, county schools, ironworks, hotels and other businesses were built across the region, ultimately giving shape to the villages of Perkins, Saint-Pierre-de-Wakefield and Poltimore. In the early 20th century, the area was a magnet for hunting and fishing enthusiasts, including many from the United States.

In 1974, on the instructions of then minister Victor Goldbloom, Québec’s ministry of municipal affairs amalgamated municipalities across the province. Among these were Perkins, Saint-Pierre-de-Wakefield and Poltimore, which merged to create what we know today as Val-des-Monts. 

Since then, Val-des-Monts has grown considerably, spanning close to 480 square kilometres and boasting more than 270 kilometres of roadways, as well as quality leisure and community infrastructures (arena, two boat launches, public beach, three libraries, skateboard parks, play structures, softball diamonds, soccer pitches, community halls, etc.)

About our location and region

Val-des-Monts is one of seven localities that make up the Municipalité régionale de comté (MRC) des Collines-de-l’Outaouais (regional county municipality). Val-des-Monts is bordered by Denholm and Bowman to the north, by Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette and L’Ange-Gardien to the east, by La Pêche to the west, and by Cantley and Gatineau to the south.

On a broader regional scale, Val-des-Monts forms part of both Québec’s Outaouais region and the national capital region, also known as Ottawa-Gatineau.

About our population

Val-des-Monts is blessed not only with one of the Outaouais/Ottawa-Gatineau region’s largest territories (almost 481 square kilometres), but also with more than 125 lakes, rich farmlands and massive forests. It’s also nestled among rolling hills and lush valleys, hence the name Val-des-Monts.

Montvalois is the name given to the Municipality’s 13,061 residents (population according to the Gazette officielle du Québec as of December 21, 2022). Some 10,000 seasonal vacationers join the mix during the summer months, bringing the total population to more than 23,000.

Our permanent residents are spread across three hubs, Perkins, Saint-Pierre-de-Wakefield and Poltimore, the former towns that were amalgamated in 1975 to create Val-des-Monts.

On average, population density in the Municipality is 24.03 inhabitants per square kilometre.

Val-des-Monts saw its population grow by 9.2% between the 2006 and 2011 censuses; in comparison, the national average increase was 5.9% over the same period.