Founded in 1975 as an archaeological museum, the Musée du Bas-Saint-Laurent (MBSL) has embraced, over the years, a new mission oriented towards education and outreach and has developed an important niche in photography and ethnology. In the 1980s, the MBSL became a major player in contemporary art in Québec.
The museum’s commitment to modern art and ethnology has enabled it to develop expertise in both of these fields. Enriched by its achievements, this major museum institution still maintains this dual focus in order to serve the population of Bas-Saint-Laurent as well as visitors from outside the region.
The permanent exhibition examines the history, residents and culture of Bas-Saint-Laurent by presenting over 500 historical photos from the museum’s collection. The exhibition also includes a darkroom and a small photography studio resembling those in existence at the turn of the 20th century.
Temporary exhibitions in 2024/2025
Jean-Paul Jérôme. Éloge de la couleur
October 4, 2024, to February 10, 2025
To mark the 70th anniversary of the Plasticien manifesto, the museum presents an exhibition that highlights the significant role Jean-Paul Jérôme (1928-2004) played in the development of abstract art in Québec.
Sociochimie. L’intangible qui nous relie
November 15, 2024, to March 16, 2025
Curator: Oriane Asselin Van Coppenolle
Artists: Amélie Brindamour, Sarah Seené, Camille Bernard-Gravel, Stéphanie Beaudoin
Students: SNFLWR (Loup Gauvin-Dufresne, Louis Boutin, Laurence Savard-Gagnon), Karianne Arsenault and Pierre Étienne Petit, Em Dufour, Sarah Soleil
What is Sociochimie (sociochemistry)? During research and artistic residencies, artists and students reflected on human interactions through a scientific and artistic lens combining sociology and chemistry. The artists’ journeys were fueled by meetings with members of the Environment and Biotechnology Research Group (GREB) and the Open Innovation Lab (LLio) at Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup. This collective exhibition presents the results of these reflections.
The Sociochimie exhibition is supported by the Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup.
Opening dates
Open year-round
Schedule
September 3, 2024, to June 20, 2025: Tuesday to Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (except Thursday when the museum is open from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Closed on Monday.Cost
$8.50/adult, $7/senior, $6.50/student (with student ID), $15/family (2 adults with children), free for children under 18Payment methods
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Visa
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MasterCard
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Interac
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Cash
Activities available
Services
- Picnic area
- No pets allowed
- Boutique
- Conference/meeting room
- Free parking
How to get there
This museum is located on Rue Saint-Pierre, in the centre of Rivière-du-Loup. To get there, take exit 503 off Highway 20 and then follow Boulevard de l’Hôtel-de-Ville to Rue Saint-Pierre (which bisects Rivière-du-Loup in a north-south direction). You can also get there via the Trans-Canada Highway (Route 185 / Autoroute 85).
Affiliations and distinctions
Affiliations
- Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Tourisme Rivière-du-Loup
- Québec Museums Association (SMQ)
- Museum institution recognized by the Québec government