Exhibits

Make the most of your visit to Manoir Papineau National Historic Site by visiting the permanent and temporary exhibits.

Permanent exhibit in the granary

Running the seigneury

Head to the granary to discover this building built in 1855 and intended to store grain royalties owed to the seigneur. Napoléon Bourassa, painter and son-in-law of Louis-Joseph Papineau, set up his painting studio upstairs between 1858 and 1871.

Besides enjoying the wood ceiling, you can learn more about the way the seigneury of Petite-Nation operated in the past and about the functions of the other buildings on the estate.

Last but not least, both children and adults can get busy drawing and displaying their artwork in the style of Napoleon.

Schedule: varies according to the dates and opening hours in effect.

Location: at the granary, approximately 110 metres (360 feet) from the manor house. Check out the map of the buildings to help you get around the site.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all ages, but particularly for people who enjoy reading.

Fees: the activity is free, but admission fees apply to visit the manor house.

Accessibility: the entrance to the granary is accessible by going up two or more steps. The exhibit includes interpretation panels to read and some objects, like pencils, that can be touched.

Permanent outdoor exhibit

Cap Bonsecours, overlooking the Ottawa River, is now home to this new permanent exhibit, presented with the support of the Société historique Louis-Joseph-Papineau (website in French only).

The interpretive panels highlight key dates and are presented in two themes: the significance of the river for the Papineau family and the history of the region, and the buildings of the seigneurial estate, including a reference to the former tea pavilion.

Schedule: varies according to the dates and opening hours in effect.

Location: in the garden behind the manor, approximately 30 metres (98 feet) from the building. Check out the map of the buildings to help you get around the site.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all ages, but particularly for people who enjoy reading.

Fees: the exhibition is free and open to all, but admission fees apply to visit the manor house.

Accessibility: the exhibition is accessible via a relatively flat gravel pathway. The interpretive panels are angled at approximately 45 degrees to support comfortable and ergonomic reading.

Temporary exhibit at the family museum

Back again

Papineau and the heritage village

Presented by the Société historique Louis-Joseph-Papineau (website in French only), this bilingual exhibit brings together some objects of daily life at the time of the seigneury of La Petite-Nation, old images of the village and some sculptures.

Among the objects to be seen are paintings of family members, Napoleon Bourassa's painting easel, glasses, wooden figurines and a reproduction of Papineau's funeral bust.

In addition, a relaxation area and a photo area featuring chic bourgeois accessories will be available for visitors to capture candid country memories.

Period: from June 24 to September 7, 2026

Schedule: varies according to the dates and opening hours in effect.

Location: at the family museum, just a few meters from the manor house. Check out the map of the buildings to help you get around the site.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all ages, but particularly for people who enjoy reading.

Fees: the activity is free, but admission fees apply to visit the manor house.

Accessibility: the entrance to the granary is accessible by going up two or more steps. The exhibit includes interpretation panels to read and some objects, like pencils, that can be touched.