Museum of Civilisation Museological Complex (Musee de la Civilisation Museological Complex)
Quebec City is home to many world-class museums. Among these are the Museum of Civilisation, Museum of French America, and the Place-Royale Interpretation Centre. Together these three fall under the Musee de la Civilisation Museological Complex.
The Museum of Civilisation (Musee de la civilisation) was founded in 1988 in Quebec City. It is located in the old historic district near the birthplace of French America. The Museum of Civilisation links together the past, present, and the future of human experiences. Using interactive technology and multimedia, visitors can explore and discover educational and cultural aspects of human civilisation. There are several permanent exhibits at the museum and many temporary exhibits are featured throughout the year. There is no particular theme to the museum as a whole – exhibits vary widely, yet the visitors are drawn to the unique, hands-on, interactive exhibits on historic, current events, controversial, or unusual subjects. Permanent exhibits on the four centuries of Quebec history and on encounters with the First Nations peoples present the history of the area in an interactive manner. The museum features a campanile, a house and a rowboat (both from the 18th century), a stone wharf, two historic sites, and more. The Museum Boutique is located in the old vaults of the Estebe House.
The Museum of French America (Musee de l'Amerique francaise) is Canada’s oldest museum. This history museum tells the story of the French in North America. Located in a former seminary building at Laval University, the Museum of French America is home to an extensive collection of artifacts including, scientific instruments, ancient coins and medals; mineralogy, geology, numismatic, zoology, and botanical collections; fossils, paintings, and ancient books. The museum offers exhibits and educational programs on the history, settlement, and development of the French culture in North America. The Museum Boutique is located at the reception desk. Snacks and beverages are available from automatic vending machines.
The third museum is the Place-Royale Interpretation Centre (Centre d’interpretation de Place-Royale), which sits on the site between Cap Diamant and the St. Lawrence River where Samuel de Champlain established the first permanent French settlement in North America. Listed as a World Heritage Site by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this site is considered to be the birthplace of French America. The Place-Royale Interpretation Centre relates the four hundred years of history of this cultural site - the cradle of French civilisation in North America. The museum employs multimedia shows, exhibits, and guided tours to present the story, from pre-European days to the present. There is a boutique on the premises.
The Museum of Civilisation, the Museum of French America, and the Place-Royale Interpretation Centre are all open daily from the end of June through Labour Day. The rest of the year, the museums are open Tuesday through Sunday and are closed on Monday. All three museums are closed on Christmas. Most of the exhibits at the museums are presented in both French and English. The museums may be rented for receptions, conventions, or other events.
Old Montreal (Vieux-Montreal)
In 1535, explorer Jacques Cartier visited the site of modern Montreal. At the time, it was an Amerindian village. The peoples living in the area were the Algonquin, Huron, and Iroquois. One hundred years later, in 1642, the first settlers established the city of Ville-Marie (later Montreal). Under French rule, the city was fortified with wooden palisade as its location made it a critical military stronghold with the constant warring with the Iroquois and the British. A Peace treaty with the Amerindians led to a period of peace and the wooden fortifications were replaced with stone. In 1760, Montreal surrendered to British rule. During the American Revolutionary War against England, American forces occupied Montreal. A hub in the early days of the birth of Canada, the Industrial Revolution, and the Victorian era were good to the city and many of the structures reflect the wealth of the era. The 20th century brought both decline and revival, and the old city of Montreal, Vieux-Montreal, is a revitalised historic treasure.
One of the oldest urban areas in North America, many of Old Montreal’s structures date back to the 1600s. Tours of the old city may be taken on foot (guided or self-guided) or via horse-drawn carriage (caleche). Maps of the old city are available in display booths throughout the old city. The guided tours departing from the Notre-Dame Basilica charge a fee and last about 90 minutes. Themed tours include “The Old Montreal Ghost Trail” among others. The more expensive option, a horse-drawn carriage tour, is a 30-minute tour, with departures from several locations in the old city.
Highlights of any tour of Old Montreal, starting on the east end near Place Jacques-Cartier, include the Montreal City Hall, Bonsecours Market, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel (not to be confused with the basilica), and colonial mansions Chateau Ramezay and the Sir George-Etienne Cartier National Historic Site of Canada. North of City Hall lies the remaining foundation of the city wall. To the west, Place d‘Armes is home to Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica (Montreal’s first parish church), the 1684 Sulpician seminary (the oldest existing building in Montreal), the Bank of Montreal, and the New York Life building (built in 1888, it is the oldest skyscraper in the city). To the southwest, are Place d’Youville and Place Royale as well as the archaeological evidence of the first townsite. The Pointe-a-Calliere Museum is located in this section. At the final edge of the city (the riverbank), is the Old Port (Vieux-Port), a place where maritime facilities co-mingle with recreational space, museums, and other attractions.
Though it is only about one square km (0.4 sq. mile) in size, Old Montreal is a revitalised, thriving commercial district. Nearly 200 restaurants, art galleries, spas, and speciality shops and boutiques, make up the more than 500 businesses in the district.
Quebec Winter Carnival (Le Carnaval de Quebec)
For more than 100 years, the Quebec Winter Carnival (Le Carnaval de Quebec) has attracted visitors to Quebec City to celebrate winter right in the middle of the winter season. First celebrated in 1894, the Quebec Winter Carnival is now a 17-day event that takes place at the end of January through the first weeks of February. It is an international attraction that features parades, snow and ice sculptures, sporting events, live entertainment and concerts, and much more.
Bonhomme Carnaval, the ambassador of the carnival, is the incarnation and representative of snowmen that have long been part of the folklore for Quebec children. Since 1955, a palace made of ice (or snow, from 1979-1992) has been constructed for Bonhomme Carnaval. Coloured lights shimmering at night through the ice at the palace is a delight to see and is a top attraction at the carnival.
The Quebec Winter Carnival features all sorts of games and activities for children and families. Other events include dogsled races, and canoe races across the frozen St. Lawrence River. There is a golf tournament on perfectly groomed snow; dancing, live entertainment and evening lighted parades. Sculpture contests include the International Snow Sculpture Competition and the Ice Sculpture Festival. The ice sculpting competition lasts for approximately three weeks and hosts ice sculpting teams from throughout the world. The intricate and detailed creations make a centrepiece for the festival events.
The biggest winter carnival in the world attracts nearly one million visitors each year. The majority of the events at the Quebec Winter Carnival are held on the Plains of Abraham and the Place du Palais, though the entire city of Quebec bustles with activity during the festivities.