Tours and programs
Manoir Papineau National Historic Site
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.
Most requested
Please note: the Manor can only be visited with a guide—it cannot be visited on your own.
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 prior reservation is required—simply arrive at the reception desk 15 minutes before the tour starts.
Fees: included in admission fees
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
Period: August
Languages offered: English and French
Details about the activity (schedule, fees, reservations, etc.): visit the Tales from the shadow guided tour page.
New
Exclusive guided tour
Explore Montebello and come meet Master Storyteller and Interpreter David Mayer at Manoir Papineau National Historic Site.
Dates: from Saturday, May 16 to October 20, 2026
Schedule: Wednesday to Sunday, according to current opening hours.
Fees and reservations: consult the Fees page. To reserve, email papineau@pc.gc.ca or call 819-423-6965.
Languages offered: English and French
Audience: the content is suitable for all, but aimed more at adults
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 of the buildings to help you get around the site.
Period: May to October
Dates and schedule: according to current opening dates and hours
Fees: included in admission fees
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 exhibit 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.
An exhibit presents how a seigneurie worked. You will also learn more about the functions of the other buildings on the domain.
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 for children visiting Parks Canada sites with their families. At Manoir Papineau National Historic Site, the Xplorers book takes young and old alike on a hunt for clues hidden in the different rooms of the manor. Memorize the clues, find the secret password, and get a reward. On your marks, get set, “Xplore”!
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