There are few places in North America where you can feel the presence of history more than in Québec City, the largest walled city north of Mexico. Therefore, it’s fitting that the capital of Canada’s most populous French-speaking province has so many excellent museums to provide historical context.
From military exhibits detailing the brutality of the 18th-century Seven Years’ War to a Catholic hospital showcasing the evolution of medicine and several fascinating Indigenous collections, Québec City is a wonderful place for museum enthusiasts.
Here are the best museums in Québec City:
Compare and contrast the cultures of French Canada and the First Nations at Musée de Civilisation
One of the most visited museums in Canada, Québec City’s Museum of Civilization interprets the history of New France as well as Québec’s Indigenous peoples. The extensive interactive exhibits, particularly the Indigenous-focused “This is Our Story” display, showcases stories from Québec’s population of 95,000 Aboriginal peoples. Moreover, there are often rotating temporary exhibitions worth exploring.
Get arty at Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec
Covering four buildings on the Plains of Abraham, Québec’s fine arts museum features 40,000 works of art, including notable Inuit pieces (the Manasie Akpaliapik exhibition of 40 Inuit sculptures is particularly striking). Additionally, temporary exhibitions frequently highlight works by internationally renowned artists such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, and Isamu Noguchi.
Visit Musée Huron-Wendat to learn about Indigenous culture
Located nearly 30 minutes north of Québec City, Wendake is home to two urban reservations that welcome visitors to learn about the Huron and Wendat peoples. The Huron-Wendat Museum displays a small collection of artifacts including moccasins, canoes, baskets, and intricate headdresses. While in Wendake, it’s recommended to also visit Onhoüa Chetek8e, a reconstructed Huron village. For evening plans, consider checking out Onhwa’ Lumina, the new light show and night walk from renowned international exhibitor Moment Factory.
Salute the troops at Musée Royal 22e Régiment (La Citadelle)
Situated on Cape Diamand, the highest point in Québec City, La Citadelle is a vast military fortress recognized within the Unesco World Heritage List. Steeped in nearly 300 years of history, La Citadelle serves as both the second official residence of the governor general and a garrison for the Canadian Army’s Royal 22nd Regiment, the country’s only predominantly French-language unit. The fortress presents a stunning sight, while the museum inside its ramparts is equally rewarding, showcasing period uniforms, weapons, and over 300 medals awarded to the regiment.
See Québec City in miniature at Musée du Fort
Located in front of Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, this small museum features a 30-minute sound-and-light show that brings to life the six sieges of Québec City during the Seven Years’ War, including the battle of the Plains of Abraham. The museum’s highlight includes a 430-square-foot model of the city and its outlying regions as they appeared in 1750.
Feel the history at Musée des Plaines d’Abraham
Located in a 17th-century Catholic seminary, this three-floor museum commemorates the 1759 battle between Britain and France, which ultimately decided Canada’s linguistic fate. Inside the museum are 450,000 artifacts, including period uniforms. A multimedia show explains the conflicts from four different perspectives: French, British, Canadian, and First Nations. After your visit, take a stroll through the 242-acre park and beautifully landscaped gardens, remnants of the former battleground.
See how schoolgirls used to study at Pôle Culturel du Monastère des Ursulines
Founded in 1639 as one of the first schools for girls on the continent, this multi-level museum explores the history of the Ursuline nuns and their dedication to education. Over three floors and five exhibitions, including three temporary and two permanent, the museum displays what life was like for schoolgirls through artistic exhibits, musical instruments, and preserved classrooms. The chapel also features magnificent religious artwork, including intricate golden leaves created by the nuns.
Contemplate the history of medicine at le Monastère des Augustines
Located in the first hospital built in the Americas north of Mexico, Le Monastère des Augustines provides a compelling insight into the evolution of medicine over three centuries. With approximately 50,000 religious artifacts and medical tools from the Augustinian Sisters’ 12 monastery hospitals, visitors can appreciate the significant advancements in health care. A temporary exhibit running until May 2024, “Re-connect,” offers an engaging reflection on the history of well-being. Additionally, the Monastère accommodates guests at its luxurious hotel and the hotel’s health-focused restaurant, Le Vivoir.
Get locked up (temporarily) at Centre Morrin
Originally a French military barracks and later a jail for British prisoners of war, the Centre Morrin has transformed into a museum showcasing life inside one of the continent’s first prisons. Guided tours offer a glimpse through the more than 200-year-old prison cells, alongside a beautiful Victorian library housing approximately 27,000 English-language books.
