Centennial Flame, Ottawa, Guide du visiteur et quoi faire à proximité

The Centennial Flame is a gas-fed flame on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, burning in a fountain at the front of the grounds on Wellington Street. It was lit to mark 100 years of Canadian Confederation in 1967, and it is still one of the simplest and most recognisable symbols of the country's national story.

The story behind it

Canada marked its centennial in 1967, and the federal government wanted a lasting reminder of the year on the grounds of Parliament. The answer was a flame, lit at the start of the centennial year in front of Centre Block, the main building of Parliament. It was meant to celebrate the first hundred years since Confederation in 1867.

The flame was not planned to stay forever, but it became a permanent fixture and has burned ever since. It sits in a fountain ringed by the coats of arms of Canada's provinces and territories, so the monument speaks of the whole country rather than any one region. Today it is a favourite meeting point for visitors, school groups and anyone taking in the Hill.

What to look for

• The flame itself, burning at the centre of the fountain, which looks striking against the water and the stone of Parliament behind it.
• The ring of provincial and territorial coats of arms around the base, which is a quick way to see the country's regions represented in one place.
• The Gothic Revival towers and the Peace Tower rising behind the monument, which make this one of the best photo spots on the Hill.
• The wide lawn and Wellington Street frontage, which show how Parliament Hill was laid out as a grand approach to the buildings.

Tips for your visit

• Allow about 15 to 20 minutes for the flame alone, and more if you want to explore the rest of Parliament Hill.
• Visit in the morning for softer light and fewer crowds, or at dusk when the buildings and the flame glow against the sky.
• The flame stands outdoors on the Hill grounds, so you can see it from outside the buildings. Access to parts of the grounds and the buildings can change, so check current opening hours and access rules before you go.
• The Peace Tower, the Parliament buildings and the nearby streets of downtown Ottawa are all within walking distance, so it fits easily into a longer stroll.

See it on a quest

The Oz Escape in Ottawa is a good way to take in the flame as one stop on a longer walk through the area. You reach each place on foot, the app tells you about it as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle in front of what you are looking at. One ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Downtown, Ottawa suits anyone who likes a mystery theme with their sightseeing. You walk through downtown at your own pace, hear about places as you get to them, and work out a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

Lucky Treasure Hunt: The Golden Shamrock in Ottawa turns the walk into a treasure hunt. You move from place to place on foot, the app tells you about each one, and a puzzle waits at every stop. You can start whenever you like, and one ticket covers the whole group.