Discover the experience
Starting April 30, 2025, the Pôle culturel du Monastère des Ursulines, a cultural centre in Old Québec showcasing the exceptional heritage of the Ursuline nuns, invites you to explore its brand-new permanent exhibition highlighting the invaluable contribution of these dedicated women to the development of modern schooling and the advancement of women’s status in Quebec. Spread across six rooms, the exhibition features nearly 600 artifacts and archival documents, including a 19th-century Copernican planetarium, a foundational document bearing the seal of King Louis XIII and much more.
In the meantime, don’t miss Echoes from the Heart, a 45-minute immersive audio experience that guides you through the Ursuline Chapel with testimonies from some of the nuns of this community.
To dive into the history of the metropolis, head to the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Historic Site, where the Bonsecours Experience offers two self-guided audio tours blending art, history, heritage and music to help you explore this iconic Montréal landmark at your own pace.
The Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel tour introduces you to key figures from the history of Montréal’s oldest chapel while highlighting its architecture and artwork. You might even hear the melodies of the Casavant organ! Meanwhile, the Marguerite-Bourgeoys Museum tour immerses you in the life of Montréal’s first teacher and the history of the neighbourhood through a captivating narration filled with stories and first-hand accounts.
Located in the heart of downtown Trois-Rivières, the Musée des Ursulines de Trois-Rivières offers a deep dive into the history of the Ursuline nuns, dedicated to educating young girls in the city. Through an impressive collection of artifacts and captivating exhibitions, the museum brings their legacy to life.
Open year-round, the exhibition We Grow Up By Playing invites visitors to explore the Ursulines’ collection of games and toys. Visitors of all ages can step into a playful world from another era and gain a deeper understanding of the role of play in children’s learning and development. While you’re there, take some time to discover the rich heritage of this site, which has served as a cloister, a school and a hospital over the centuries.
A haven of tranquillity in the heart of Old Québec, the Monastère des Augustines offers a unique experience blending history, spirituality and medicine on the site of the first hospital in America north of Mexico. Its museum provides a unique opportunity to explore the legacy of these pioneering women in healthcare.
Running until September 2025, the exhibition titled Augustinian Sisters: Healing Body and Soul traces the evolution of the Augustinian Sisters’ spiritual and social commitment. Through an immersive experience featuring historical artifacts and inspiring stories, visitors will gain insight into their devotion to the sick, their communal way of life and their pursuit of a balanced lifestyle.
Nestled within the basilica of Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal in Montréal, the Oratory Museum is a treasure trove of sacred art showcasing an exceptional religious, historical and artistic heritage from Quebec and beyond. Among its highlights is one of the most remarkable Nativity scene collections in the world, featuring a rich array of crèches, from the works of Quebec artists to depictions of the Nativity from across the globe.
During your visit, be sure to stop by the new welcome pavilion to admire the details of one of the sanctuary’s recent acquisitions: a painting by Miyuki Tanobe, a Japanese-born artist who has made Quebec her home in the 1970s. Created in nihonga, the painting style that defines Tanobe’s work, this piece captures a summer day in the life of the sanctuary.
