Aug 11

Aug 11 Venues in Quebec: Museums

Happy Friday!

I want to share two venues I saw while I was in Quebec, both of which are museums.

In general, I like having higher level events in museums, whether it's just a reception and presentation, or a formal dinner with some musical entertainment. The added value of holding an event at a museum is that you can request access to certain exhibitions. Of course, there is an understanding that no food or drink would be permitted in the exhibit hall, but it is appreciated to have private access to an exhibition. At times, I've also requested a docent to be available during my events to answer any questions that my group might have about the exhibit or the museum.

Musée de la Civilisation

At the time, the Musée de la Civilisation had an exhibit on TinTin, a popular Belgium comic (character portraits were placed in the museum's windows). The museum's entrance has high ceilings which give the museum a grand presence. It was suggested that we do events in the main lobby, called the Grand Hall (with the high ceilings), which is already rigged with lighting and AV. The overall look of the Grand Hall is a modern combination of stone and glass. For something outdoors, the courtyard to the Grand Hall is also available for rent, which could be nice for a dinner under the stars.

Pierre Lassonde Pavillion, Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec

Even though I love the old grandeur of 1920's deco architecture, I'm also a fan of modern, sleek designs. For the right type of audience, the Pierre Lassonde Pavillion could be the perfect venue for an event. The pavillion opened in 2016 and is a large, glass building that receives a lot of natural light.

There are several areas available for rent, but I thought the main lobby, also known as the Grand Hall, was impressive because of the beautiful, spiral staircase. The other room we visited was the Espace Sud et Terrasse - South Space with access to the terrace. In addition, this floor has access to two exhibition rooms (but again, no food or beverage is permitted in the exhibit hall).