Tours and programs

Choose from guided or self-guided tours that allow the public to learn more about the Papineau family and the seigneury of La Petite-Nation.

Guided tour of the Manor

This guided tour of the Manoir Papineau’s main floor will teach you about the day-to-day life of Louis-Joseph Papineau’s family. Get an intimate view of this elite French-Canadian family as you wander through the bedroom of Louis-Joseph Papineau and relive the festive atmosphere of receptions in the dining room and drawing room.

Authentic period décor, a touch of history and a few anecdotes will divulge the secrets of this manor house and its occupants.

Period: May to October

Length: 45 minutes

Schedule: tour schedule is posted on site. No reservation required.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all, but aimed more at adults

Accessibility: the entrance to the manor has a door with a rather high exterior threshold, providing access to the first floor of the building only. Five (5) steps lead up to the upper floor, where the guided tour takes place. There is no elevator to the upper floors of the manor. The guided tour is audiovisual, with furniture and objects presented visually and information conveyed verbally.

This guided tour is also available for groups. Visit the Group activities page.

Tales from the shadow special guided tour

As night falls, visit the manor from a different angle.

Period: May to October

Languages offered: English and French

For more details about this activity, visit the Tales from the shadow guided tour page.

Self-guided tour of the outbuildings

Several buildings still bear witness today to the nobility of the seigneurial domain of a past era. Visit these premises at your own pace.

Check out the map to help you get around the site.

Period: May to October

Audience: the content is suitable for all, but aimed at people aged 16 and over who enjoy reading

Interpretation panel languages: English and French

Accessibility: the activity takes place inside and/or outside the buildings. A gravel path with several slopes connects the main parking lot (located on Notre-Dame Street), the entrance of the manor, and the entrances of the outbuildings. The entrance to the orangery is accessible by going down two stone steps. The floor is stone, and the self-guided tour includes an interpretation panel to read. The entrance to the granary is accessible by going up two or more steps. The self-guided tour includes interpretation panels to read and some objects, like pencils, that can be touched. Finally, the entrance to the family museum is on the ground level and has a fixed indoor access ramp. There are no steps to climb, and the building has only one floor on the ground level, with all sections accessible. The self-guided tour includes interpretation panels to read, some of which are high, and some objects, like costumes, that can be touched.

The orangery

Built in 1881 according to the wishes of Amédée Papineau, son of Louis-Joseph Papineau, the orangery was once used to protect plants from the winter; yuccas and cacti grew there.

The granary

Originally, as its name indicates, this building was used to store the grain that the residents of the seigneury of La Petite-Nation paid as a tax.

An exhibition presents how a seigneurie worked. You will also learn more about the functions of the other buildings on the domain.

The family museum

Located near the manor house, the family museum has been used for many purposes since its construction in 1880. It first housed a collection of portraits and travel memorabilia of the Papineau family before becoming a gymnasium and, around 1935, an Anglican chapel.

The memorial chapel

Built around 1853-1854 following the death of Gustave Papineau, one of the sons of Louis-Joseph Papineau, the memorial chapel is now administered by the National Trust for Canada. Check the opening hours on the National Trust for Canada website.

Xplorers program

The Xplorers program is dedicated for children aged 6 to 11 visiting Parks Canada sites with their families. At Manoir Papineau National Historic Site, the Xplorers take children on a hunt for clues, which are hidden in the exhibition halls. Memorize the clues and find the secret password to earn a reward. On your marks, get set, Xplore!

Click here for more information on the Xplorers program.