Musée National des Beaux-Arts (MNBAQ), Quebec City (must see)

The Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec ( National Museum of Fine Arts of Quebec) is an art museum situated in Quebec City. It's located within the National Battlefields Park and consists of four buildings. Three of these structures were specifically constructed for the museum, while the fourth originally served as a provincial prison.

The institution first opened its doors in 1933 under the name Musée de la province de Québec. Initially, it functioned as a provincial repository for archives, art, and natural science exhibits until 1962, when the natural science collection was removed. The following year, it underwent a name change to become the Musée du Quebec. Subsequently, in 1979, the provincial archives were relocated, leaving the institution solely focused on its art collection. In 2002, it was rebranded as the Musée National des Beaux-Arts du Québec.

The museum boasts a diverse collection comprising over 40,000 artworks spanning from the 16th century to contemporary times. While the collection predominantly features pieces created in Quebec or by Quebecois artists, it also includes works from other regions of Canada and around the world. The museum maintains affiliations with organizations such as the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, and the Virtual Museum of Canada.

Why You Should Visit:
English/French labels are good, the Inuit art gallery is particularly stunning and some very interesting temporary exhibitions are sometimes presented.
Perhaps the best part is the historical art pavilion featuring Quebecois & Canadian artists from the colonial era, which is history and art museum rolled together.
Additionally, the museum boasts a great gift shop, very nice restaurants, and a fine view from the patio behind one of them.

Tip:
Since admission is rather expensive, consider visiting during half-price evenings on Wednesdays (5-9pm).
Go on a nice day so that you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Plains of Abraham and the Joan of Arc Garden, which is spectacular.