Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec (National Museum of Fine Arts in Quebec)

Quebec’s major art museum is located at the south-western end of the historic Battlefields Park, the picturesque city grasslands also known as the Plains of Abraham. With more than 27,000 works, the Musée houses the largest existing collection of art from past and present Quebecois artists, as well as international works and travelling exhibitions.

The Collections

The Musée houses a diverse collection of temporary and permanent exhibitions dating from the 17 th century to the present. From the heavy influence of religion in the earliest pieces, to the later abstract works by renowned expressionist Jean-Paul Riopelle, the galleries offer a diverse showcase of the paintings and sculptures of some 3000 artists in a wide variety of materials and techniques. Also on display is a selection of pieces from a stunning collection of 2,635 works of Inuit art, acquired in 2005 from devoted Quebec collector Raymond Brousseau. The collection features sculptures, drawings, jewellery and other works from across the Canadian Arctic.

The Buildings

The centrepiece of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts is the Grand Hall, with its towering glass walls that leads to the galleries of works in the Gérard-Morisset and theCharles-Baillairgé buildings .

Opened in 1933, the Gérard-Morisset pavilion was the museum’s first building and showcases much of the permanent galleries under its grand ceilings. Quebec architect Charles Baillairgé designed the Charles Baillairgé building, the site of a prison for over a century, which became part of the Musée National des Beaux-Arts in 1991. The building houses four exhibition galleries as well as actual cellblocks from the original Quebec City jail. Highlights include David Moore’s sculpture in the watchtower at the highest point of the museum, which can be accessed by climbing up a spiral staircase.

Tours, Workshops and Events

The Musée hosts a variety of creative workshops for children and adults, including 45-minute weekend activities for kids that are free of charge. Guided tours are also available in English and French, including a tour of the former prison site led by an actor playing the role of a prison guard!

Meeting rooms and reception halls can be rented for a variety of events, including corporate functions, holiday parties and weddings. Audiovisual equipment , catering and cloakroom services are available. Private showings of collections can also be arranged, along with tour guides.

Dining and Shopping

Known for its popular Saturday and Sunday brunches, the Café Restaurant offers gourmet cuisine created with local products, served in a beautiful setting with a view of Battlefields Park. Lunch is available Monday through Friday, and dinner on Wednesday evenings. The restaurant can be reserved for private functions on the evenings it is not open to the public.

Located in the Grand Hall, the elegant Musée boutique offers a unique variety of items influenced by the works of art throughout the galleries.

Visiting the Musée

The Musée National des Beaux-Arts is located in the Battlefields Park ( Parc des Champs-de-Bataille) near Grande-Allée Street.

From June 1st to Labour Day, the Musée is open daily from 9am to 6pm, and until 9pm on Wednesdays. After Labour Day until May 31 st, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and until 9pm on Wednesday. It is closed on Mondays. Admission to the permanent collections at the Musée is free.

Admission for the temporary exhibitions is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $7 for students and $4 for youth ages 12 to 17. Admission for children under 12 is free. Family and groups rates are available.

For more information, call 1-866-220-2150.

Click here to visit Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec official website