Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged coastal mountains, Vancouver is by far the most picturesque of Canadian cities. Unique in its perfect blend of Mother Nature and modern cosmopolitan urbanity, and unique in its cultural diversity, from Native American "First Nations" to rich Asian communities. For both travelers and residents, Vancouver is above all a city of the outdoors, eminently appreciable for its quality of life, where sailing, hiking, skiing in winter and gardening are practiced year-round. But sometimes Vancouver is also about grey weather, rain and homeless people panhandling at the foot of majestic, colourful skyscrapers, true masterpieces of modern architecture. Influenced by Seattle, a bastion of American counterculture, Vancouver is a bohemian city, worthy of the spirit that reigns in the great centres of the West Coast. About 150 years ago, the gold rush and the frenzy of personal enrichment shaped the region. Today, it is the quest for freedom and open spaces that attracts thousands of young people from all over the world to this city every year. With nothing in their pockets, these young adventurers hope to find temporary work here, to take advantage of the ski season or simply to flirt with West Coast soul for a while. Because Vancouver is also the realm of skiers and snowboarders, for some travellers, what started out as a brief stopover becomes a permanent home base. As you stroll through the downtown core, you'll notice that Vancouver's residents reflect its history: young and cosmopolitan, with a large proportion of the population of Asian origin.The last Western stop before the Orient, Vancouver seduces, and also disturbs, especially the "Easterners": it is at the top of the polls that list the cities where it is good to live. Backed by the Rocky Mountains, the city has its feet in the Pacific. An ideal postcard that makes you think, the temptation to put your bags down tickles. Vancouver's neighbourhoods are welcoming and their communities enrich the city's cultural diversity. In fact, there are more residents with an immigrant background than native Vancouverites or Canadians. Welcome to an ethnic mosaic where no one will ask you for your passport.HistoryVancouver is only a little over 130 years old. However, its "prehistory" tells us that only two centuries ago, the Salish Indians paddled here on the Fraser River and fished for salmon. The arrival of white men would change everything. Born in Kings Lynn, England, in 1757, George Vancouver was one of the first westerners to set foot in the Canadian West. He joined the Royal Navy in 1771. He made several expeditions with the famous navigator James Cook on his second and third voyages. In 1791, he was commissioned by England to explore the west coast of North America. Shortly after his return to England, he left the navy to write his memoirs. Before he could complete them, Captain Vancouver died prematurely in 1798 at the age of 41.During the 19th century, the presence of coal and especially gold encouraged 25,000 men and women to try their luck in the land that the British Crown had just named "British Columbia. Immigrants flocked, bought land and found huge trees. The city was built, and with it came the train and the roads. In 1871, British Columbia joined the Confederation of Canada. From then on, it was Canadians who lived in this blessed region. Vancouver became a city on April 6, 1886. Two months later, 8,000 residents witnessed the fire that destroyed the city. The flames consumed about 1,000 buildings in about 30 minutes. The "Great Fire" of June 13, 1886, was started by Canadian Pacific men trying to clear some of the land for the construction of their railway. But as the fire grew, it quickly got out of control. With the rebuilding of the city, a new page in Vancouver's history began, a page that links it to the present.The city todayAfter the protest period of the 1960s and 1970s, driven by the emancipation of women and visible minorities, profound political changes, and an effervescent social climate, the Vancouver of the last few decades is firmly focused on economic prosperity. The Pacific Gateway has accelerated trade with the West, and has become a major trading centre.This openness to the outside world has increased the already high level of immigration, and one of the major challenges of modern Vancouver is the integration of its visible minorities, who represent half of its population. It is clear that the city has been very successful in this area so far.The 2010 Olympics also gave the economy a boost, and the city is trying to keep the momentum going with more urban development projects. All of this while moving definitively towards a policy of environmental protection that it wants to be active, to become one of the greenest cities in the world by 2020. It should be noted that tourism is the second economic pole of the city, after forestry.

What to visit Vancouver?

When to go to Vancouver?

On the West Coast, where everything is larger than life, there are year-round activities for everyone: families, sports enthusiasts, nature lovers, hunting and fishing enthusiasts. Vancouver is lively all year round, however, depending on your desires, you will have to choose your period of stay. Here are some tips on when to go to Vancouver.

High tourist season: mid-May to early October, mid-December to early January, and February. To make the most of your stay in Vancouver, the period to aim for is when it rains the least, i.e. summer. The months from June to the end of September have the best weather. This is a great time for camping, hiking and water sports. Most Canadians take their vacations in the second half of July, so it is advisable to book in advance. The festival season often begins in May and does not end until October. This is when you discover the city's melancholy charm, when it rains on the ocean, when the orange leaves blaze the trees, when the fog blurs the horizon. The high season for a snow holiday is of course reversed, with the months of December to March being ideal for skiing in Whistler, the city that hosted the 2010 Olympic Games. Beware, unlike the rest of the region, this is when prices are the highest.

Low tourist season: October to mid-December, January, March and April. An off-season trip also has the advantage of seeing hotel prices drop by 10 to 50%.

Use the map to see the lowest prices at a glance:
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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Vancouver's climate is oceanic. The summer months are pleasant and sunny, without being too hot (between 24 and 28°C in July and August). Winters are very mild, in contrast to the rest of the country. The temperature rarely falls below 0°C, and rises to 8°C in the afternoon. Snow is quite rare (11 days per year on average) and melts quickly. On the other hand, autumns and winters are quite rainy.

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Budget

Here are some price estimates to help you establish a budget. A night in a youth hostel costs $20 CAD/person, a night in a campground between $18 and $30 CAD/2 persons. A bed and breakfast or motel costs at least 80 CAN$/2 pers., a hotel 120 CAN$. For lunch, you should count at least 10 CAN $ for a snack bar, from 10 to 40 CAN $ in a restaurant. Please note that prices are generally exclusive of taxes: 12% must be added.

Procedures

French, Belgian and Swiss travelers are accepted for six months without a visa. They must have a valid passport, a return ticket (ideally) and sufficient money to ensure their stay. New for visitors to Canada: as of September 2016, visitors who do not require a visa must complete an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization) prior to travel at www.cic.gc.ca/francais/visiter/ave.asp. The ETA costs $7 CAN per person (less than 5 euros), and will be valid for five years. This online application collects basic personal information, just as is currently done at customs upon arrival in Canada, and results in faster border clearance.

Health

There is no risk to you when you travel to Canada. However, you should make sure that your vaccination record is up to date. All regions have hospitals and clinics (with or without appointments). Specialized centers are located in major cities. However, while medicine is free, it is quite slow. Most medicines are not sold ready to use, in bottles labeled by the laboratories as in Europe. Here, it is the pharmacist who prepares the bottle, filling it with the exact number of tablets prescribed by the doctor, and who writes the dosage of the prescription on the label. This avoids waste and abuse of medication. If you think you need prescription medication, it is best to take the prescription with you.

How to go to Vancouver? Our advice & tips

Tour operators usually include Vancouver in "Western Canada" tours that pass through Calgary, Whistler and Vancouver Island. It may be worthwhile to choose a tour package if you plan to explore the surrounding area and do not wish to drive. On the other hand, if you only want to visit Vancouver, a tour package is not really interesting.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Vancouver is a very accessible city for Europeans who wish to travel individually. The population is welcoming and it is easy to get around by public transport or on foot. The only drawback is the language barrier, but the friendliness of the Vancouverites makes up for it!

Vancouver's airport is international, so it is easily accessible from France, Belgium and Switzerland. In the heart of the city, you can opt for the bus or the bicycle. It is a city oriented towards soft travel and it is easy to adapt to it. It is also very pleasant to discover on foot, when the weather allows it.

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Pictures and images Vancouver

English Bay, Vancouver. MAFORD - iStockphoto
Vue panoramique sur Vancouver. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Rocky Mountainer, Kicking Horse Canyon. Rocky Mountainer
Panorama Vancouver. Technotr - iStockphoto

Discover Vancouver

When to travel?

On the West Coast, where everything is larger than life, there are year-round activities for everyone: families, spor...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Vancouver's climate is oceanic. The summer months are pleasant and sunny, without being too hot (between 24 and 28°C...
Read more about it

Budget

Here are some price estimates to help you establish a budget. A night in a youth hostel costs $20 CAD/person, a night...
Read more about it

Formalities

French, Belgian and Swiss travelers are accepted for six months without a visa. They must have a valid passport, a re...
Read more about it

Health

There is no risk to you when you travel to Canada. However, you should make sure that your vaccination record is up t...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Vancouver is a very accessible city for Europeans who wish to travel individually. The population is welcoming and i...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Tour operators usually include Vancouver in "Western Canada" tours that pass through Calgary, Whistler and Vancouver...
Read more about it

Getting around

Vancouver's airport is international, so it is easily accessible from France, Belgium and Switzerland. In the heart o...
Read more about it

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