Museums and galleries in Quebec City

Museums and galleries in Quebec City

1. See

   Chapel of the Ursuline convent

   Monastère des Ursulines de Québec

   The monastery comprises a whole block in the old town, though only the chapel and the museum are open to visitors. It was founded in 1639 by the French nun Marie de l'Incarnacion (later canonized) as the first female Catholic order in the Americas. The chapel dates from 1730 and is with its wooden altar considered a masterpiece of Franco-Canadian woodwork. In the museum you can learn about the activities of the Ursuline order in Quebec throughout history, and on display there are things related to its curriculum such as embroidery and musical instruments. Also the museum, in a building from 1687, has beautiful details preserved since construction including wooden staircases and windows.

   May-Sep: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00; Oct-Apr: Tue-Sun 13:00-17:00·$10

2. See

   Musée de la civilisation

   Museum of Civilization

   Museum devoted to the world's peoples, with a well-done if still somewhat dull permanent exhibit on the history of Quebec.

   Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00·$24 adult, $23 senior, $19 young adult, $8 youth, $5.5/child

3. See

   Musée national des Beaux-arts du Québec

   Located on the Battlefields park, the mission of this art museum is to promote and preserve Québec art of all periods and to ensure a place for international art through temporary exhibitions. You can also visit the old prison of Quebec City, which is now one of the two main pavilions of the museum. The annex was designed by renowned architectural firm OMA.

   Tue Thu-Sun 10:00-17:00, Wed 10:00-21:00·Online: $22 adult, $20 senior, $12 young adult, $5 youth, children free

4. See

   Musée naval de Québec

   Maritime museum, showcasing the naval history of the region in objects and photos. There are both a permanent and temporary exhibitions.

5. See

   Notre-Dame-des-Anges

   An tiny independent parish municipality, administered by the monastic congregation of the Augustinians of the Mercy of Jesus and surrounded by Quebec City. The municipality includes a monastery, museum, the General Hospital of Quebec and its cemetery. All of the buildings have been classed as a historic site.

6. See

   Park d'Artillerie

   In the 18th century the site of fortifications, later a garrison and until 1964 a munitions factory, there are two buildings left in this National Historic Park. In the former brick foundry there's a museum exhibiting the history of the city, and in the former building of the arsenal there's a weapon exhibition. Another attraction in the park is a Celtic cross commemorating the Irish famine and Irish immigration to North America.

   Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow

7. See

   Parliament Building

   Hôtel du Parlement

   The provincial legislature of Quebec, located in an impressive neoclassical-style building just outside the city walls. Tours are available in both French and English on non-sitting days, and proceedings (French only) may be watched from the public galleries when in session. You will need to show some photo ID (Canadian driver's licence or passport) and go through security screening to be allowed to enter. Unlike many other legislative buildings, the parliamentary restaurant is open to public.

   free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Quebec City (CC BY-SA 4.0).