You are here: The museums of Quebec » Museum Corner » Cet été, sortez des sentiers battus, visitez les musées du Québec !

This summer, get off the beaten path and visit Quebec’s museums!

July 6, 2022

847x483 — Village historique de Val-Jalbert

Do you have ants in your pants and want to step outside of your routine and find new experiences? Lace up some comfortable shoes and head out to Quebec’s museums... and some surprising adventures! Travel along new routes and experience the joy of active discoveries and the unexpected. Here are a few suggestions to add to your memory bank!

Get a bird’s-eye view of life…

In Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Historical village of Val-Jalbert offers a majestic panorama! Hop in the cable car to be transported to the top of Ouiatchouan Falls, which, at 72 metres, is higher than Niagara Falls. The falls’ energy powered the pulp mill, which is responsible for the existence of this former industrial town that has a rich history to share.

Calling all brave souls: dare you walk across the suspended glass platform at the UNESCO Global Geopark of Percé? From 200 metres above, the view of the natural landscape is breathtaking! It’s also the starting point for long hikes through Percé’s mountains. Add to this a multimedia experience that gives you an interactive view of the region’s geology!

_{Géoparc mondial UNESCO de Percé / Photo : Roger Saint-Laurent}

… or plunge below the earth’s surface!

It’s 8°C and you’re exploring the paths lit up by your headlamp, 91 metres underground: you’re in Cité de l’Or - Village minier de Bourlamaque in Abitibi! Visit this museum to learn all there is to know about crews working down in the gold mine and in the buildings above ground. The village’s log homes are also a way of getting a feel for what life was like for workers in that industry.

Discovering the city’s stories by foot

Accompanied by a guide from Mhist-Musée d’histoire de Sherbrooke, explore the streets of the queen city of the Eastern Townships and learn about its past during the Matinées découvertes! Please contact Mhist to arrange a VIP visit in English. Admire the beautiful architecture of the ancestral houses, travel back in time and experience the energy of the commercial thoroughfares, or get a different look at well-known areas of the city.

In Québec, head to L’Îlot des Palais to experience the new Vieux-Québec, Incroyables histoires! circuit which will take you from one surprising place to another across Old Québec! This includes a fun quiz, anecdotes and secrets revealed...

While you’re there, the Plains of Abraham Museum offers kids 5 to 10 years old the chance to participate in The Landscape Architect and the Hidden Treasure, a fun treasure hunt that allows them to explore the four corners of the city’s historic green space.

Enjoy nature under the stars

When night falls, get lost on the forest trails of the Musée de la Biodiversité du Québec. With your senses on high alert, follow a mysterious red woodpecker on an exciting immersive excursion throughout Echoes of origins.

Make your way through nature… in search of art and heritage delights

In Montérégie, enjoy a boat excursion offered by the Biophare in the rich ecosystem of the Lac Saint-Pierre archipelago. Make your way between the islands while taking in unique landscapes, majestic trees a large heronry, and an ancestral lighthouse!

Does your family like to challenge each other? Head to the Musée du Fjord, in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, to experience the new escape game Saved from the waters, a fun hybrid of an outdoor rally and an escape game. Travel along the Baie des Ha! Ha! in order to solve a series of fun puzzles about the natural history and surroundings of the museum. It’s up to you to lead the investigation!

At the other end of this region, outdoor and history enthusiasts alike will enjoy the Moulin des Pionniers de La Doré. Check out the iconic sawmill built in 1904, and have fun, whether it be along the hiking, cycling or adventure trails, or elsewhere along the grounds next to the Rivière aux Saumons.

At the Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien, hop aboard a train that will take you across the wide open spaces that are home to a variety of animals. While you’re there, check out the historical buildings that are a testament to the humans that lived in the area!

In Gaspésie, take a walk through the spacious Reford Gardens, a true, living, open-air museum! As you make your way along the paths, soak in the magnificent natural history, dotted with works of art. All summer long, the museum is host to exhibits by architects, landscapers and artists selected as part of the renowned International Garden Festival.