Immerse yourself in thousands of years of Canadian history at the Museum of Civilization. The emphasis at this institution is on learning through interacting, so there are activities for people of all ages. Experience the phenomenal power of earthquakes and tsunamis, take part in experiments and see your children explore imaginary landscapes.
Learn about the men and women who helped to shape the city’s identity and society at the exhibit People of Québec...Then and Now. Watch archive films that cover landmark events in the city’s history. Inspect the rich collection of artifacts including coats of arms, costumes, flags, coins and religious objects.
Hear audio accounts by actors imitating key historic figures such as the 16th-century explorer Jacques Cartier and Thomas Baillairgé, a prominent 19th-century architect.
In the Earth’s Unveiled room in the Discovery Zone, hands-on activities demonstrate how natural phenomena have shaped the Earth. Experience simulations of earthquakes and tsunamis or conduct experiments, handle fossils and view a dinosaur footprint. Also in the Discovery Zone is the Once Upon a Time exhibit. Here, younger visitors can dress in costumes and use props to play in their own version of traditional fairy tales. RFID (radio frequency identification) chips embedded into the costumes set off a variety of special effects as the children move around.
The museum also has a rotating roster of temporary exhibitions. Guided tours of individual exhibits are available and are included within the general ticket price.
Situated on Rue Dalhousie in the Lower Town, the Museum of Civilization is only a short walk away from Place-Royale. Public buses pass right by the museum. The museum is open daily from June 24 to September 2. The rest of the year it is closed on Mondays and Christmas Day.
See the website for an up-to-date schedule of rotating exhibitions during your stay and to see details on the daily tours. This schedule is also available at the museum’s information desk.
