Quebec City has been considered the fortress capital of New France since the 16th century. It has a remarkable history, being first settled by Europeans in 1608. In 2008 they celebrated its 400th anniversary. Considering its history, it has many interesting museums worth visiting. This guide highlights the city’s most famous museums and galleries.
1) Musee Bon-Pasteur
This is a three floor museum with exhibits related to the Good Shepherd Sisters of Quebec, telling the story of marginalized women and abandoned children of the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum contains objects considered to be treasures of Catholic worship, used much earlier for religious ceremonies. Various other artifacts have been added to this collection over the years.
2) Musee de l'Amerique Francaise
This historical museum is the oldest one in Canada, and has its roots in European educational and religious traditions. It is part of the Quebec Seminaire site and was founded by Monseigneur de Laval in 1663. The first collection of scientific instruments for educational purposes, dating back to 1806, and other numerous collections can be found here. The exhibits revolve around the history of the French people in America, bearing witness to the strength and determination of millions of people.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Christophe.Finot
3) Au Royaume du Pere Noel
This 1600 square foot interactive exhibition is the largest permanent Christmas exhibition in the world. It is like a Christmas village with all imaginable kinds of decorations and gifts. The exhibition sells the usual kinds of Christmas gifts, as well as unique and exclusive items for this festive time. The Christopher Radko objects and glass ornaments from Egypt are only a couple of examples of the museum’s special merchandise.
4) Centre Marie de l'Incarnation
Blessed Marie de l'Incarnation founded the community of Ursuline nuns of Quebec and opened the first girls' school in North America. This museum is dedicated to her missionary works and life (1599-1672). A permanent collection of memoirs, rosary beads, portraits and the belongings of Mother Mary of the Incarnation are found here. Visitors also have the opportunity to pray in the chapel at her tomb and purchase books at the shop.
5) Musee des Ursulines de Quebec
The name of the museum comes from a group of consecrated women called the Company of Saint Ursula, from 1535. The museum contains unique archives telling of their spiritual heritage over the three centuries they have been active. The collection consists of over 200 volumes, moving images and cartographic material.
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6) Musee de Cire de Quebec Wax Museum
Musee de Cire, opened in 1945, is located in the district of Vieux in Quebec. The museum dates back to the 18th century and contains a collection of wax figures of well-known people from Quebec’s history and celebrities from around the world such as Albert Einstein, Madam Curie, U.S. Presidents and Guy La Fleur. It is the only wax museum in the area and has about 75 lifelike, life-size figures.
7) Musee du Fort
This museum uses the latest technology and a spectacular 36 m² (43 sq. yards) model to recreate the military history of Quebec City as it was in 1759, including the battle on the Plains of Abraham. Three permanent exhibits of weapons, military insignia and uniforms were added in 2005. This special museum exhibits history like no other. It is situated in Old Quebec, in front of Chateau Frontenac.
Image Courtesy of Anick Hébert
8) Chevalier House (Maison Chevalier)
This house was first built in 1754 as home to Jean-Baptiste Chevalier from three other structures: Chesnay House, Frérot House and Chevalier House. In 1959 it was restored as a museum, representing the great architecture and decor of the 18th and 19th centuries, with high chimneys and firewalls. The museum offers interesting exhibitions of Old Quebec, including Secrets and Anecdotes, as well as audio tours.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Reading Tom