Rideau Hall, Official residence and heritage building in Ottawa, Canada

Rideau Hall, officially Government House, is the governor general of Canada's residence at 1 Sussex Drive in Ottawa, on a 36-hectare estate with 27 outbuildings. The main building holds about 175 rooms across 9,500 square metres. Its pale grey limestone facade has a triangular pediment carved with a shield flanked by two lions and two unicorns, two rows of five rectangular windows, and a projecting round-arched entrance beneath a carved coat of arms.

A Scottish builder erected the original villa in the mid-19th century as a private residence. After Canadian Confederation, the government bought the estate and expanded it over the decades with several additions in the Victorian style.

The visitor pavilion displays rotating exhibitions of contemporary work by Canadian artists and craftsmen, often featured in the public rooms of the residence. Regular ceremonies and receptions take place in the state rooms, where honors are awarded and diplomatic guests are welcomed.

Guided tours through selected areas of the main building and outdoor grounds are available most days, with availability depending on official events. Visitors should bring comfortable shoes for outdoor walking and expect security screening at the entrance.

The indoor tennis court added in 1872 was later converted into the Tent Room, now used for formal occasions; portraits of British governors general hang there, while those of Canadian governors general from Vincent Massey onward are in the Reception Room. Trees planted for visiting dignitaries carry small labels naming the planter, among them Elizabeth II, Diana, John F. Kennedy and Kofi Annan.