Visit accessible museums in Québec with your family

Sometimes it can be more complicated to organize a family cultural outing when one of the group members has special needs. To help you plan, here’s a list of museums that are accessible or partially accessible for people who use mobility aids.

Some of these museums also offer assistive devices for people with a hearing or visual impairment. Don’t forget to consult the tourist and cultural establishments’ accessibility details using the links to Kéroul’s information sheets.

Canadian Museum of History • Gatineau

The museum’s four floors of exhibition halls and public areas feature a wide range of exhibits on Canadian and world history. We suggest you look at the map to organize your visit before you go, as you may not be able to see everything in one trip. The museum offers free admission for one companion on request. A limited number of wheelchairs (child and adult size), strollers and walkers are available at no charge.

The Canadian Children’s Museum offers exciting adventures for children. Games, activities, tactile explorations and a passport with stickers are available.

Gilles-Villeneuve Museum • Berthierville

This museum pays tribute to the legendary racing driver. You can see various vehicles, photographs, trophies, suits and collectibles gathered from all over the world. The exhibition also features some of Québec’s most famous drivers such as Patrick Carpentier, the Dumoulin brothers, Alexandre Tagliani and Andrew Ranger. You can take a virtual tour (in French only) of the museum to get ready for your visit and see what obstacles you might encounter.

Centre d’interprétation de l’eau • Laval

The permanent exhibit, “The Water Trail: From River to River” allows visitors to discover the path of water in an urban setting. As you explore, you’ll come across colourful texts, games, interactive modules and questions. This educational and fun museum helps young and old alike understand the issues surrounding water, how it’s treated, routed, and used… Temporary exhibitions are frequently added to the visit. Find out more before you go.

Montréal Science Centre • Montréal

Children can discover science at their own pace and based on their age throughout a number of permanent exhibits. Concepts are first presented in text or image form and then reinforced through manipulating objects and entertaining workshops. For families whose children have special needs, this establishment offers Peaceful Mornings with reduced stimuli, sounds and lighting. To plan your visit, refer to the Guide for accompanying people with special needs. Note that admission is free for the person accompanying someone with special needs on presentation of a Companion Leisure Card (CAL) or Access 2 card.

The Électrium • Sainte-Julie

This Hydro-Québec interpretation centre is dedicated to electricity in all its forms: lightning, the aurora borealis, nerve impulses and much more. The exhibits are mainly geared toward children, with a variety of activities offering simple explanations of concepts such as electric circuits, voltage and magnetic fields. Part of the exhibit explains hydroelectricity production in Québec. Guided tours are free and reservations are required (in French only).

Boréalis • Trois-Rivières

Discover the history of the paper industry in Québec. The geographic location of Trois-Rivières, at the confluence of two major rivers, made it an important trading post and ideal place for exchanges between Europeans and First Nations. You can visit the permanent exhibition “Roots and Identity” on your own or with a guide. Your visit might also include seasonal activities (immersive urban circuit, digital family search, escape game, etc.). For more information before your visit, consult the frequently asked questions page on the museum’s website.

Musée minéralogique et minier • Thetford Mines

Ce musée vous raconte une histoire incontournable de la région des Appalaches ; celle des minéraux. Parcourez des archives, photographies, artefacts, minéraux et objets This museum shares an important part of the Appalachian region’s history: minerals. Browse through local archives, photographs, artifacts, minerals and mining objects. The Centre historique de la mine King KB3 takes you into miners’ daily lives throughout the major mining periods. Guided tours of the exhibition are offered from July to August. Consult the virtual tour (in French only) online to prepare for your visit.

Site historique maritime Pointe-au-Père• Rimouski

Discover the Empress of Ireland, Canada’s greatest maritime tragedy. You can explore this museum’s beautiful immersive exhibition at your pace. Browse through a room full of artifacts, a unique collection of over 200 objects brought up from the wreck after a long stay at the bottom of the river. They’re a testament to the lives of the crew on board and the travellers leaving for the Atlantic crossing. The Onondaga submarine is located right next to it, but it is partially accessible. You can observe it from the outside thanks to the wooden walkway, and can take an interactive visit using a tablet.