Espace Riopelle

This project, which will profoundly transform the MNBAQ, involves the construction of a world-class building to house Riopelle’s most significant works. It will also enhance our activities, our programs, and our strategic vision of a Musée open to all Quebecers. Finally, it will provide Québec City with an attractive building in the heart of the Plains of Abraham.

This is a unique opportunity for Quebecers to admire a group of extraordinary works by Jean Paul Riopelle from private collections, thanks to the MNBAQ and the support of our generous patrons.

What’s more, the project will entail a significant addition to the national collection and enrich Québec’s heritage by giving one of our most illustrious artists pride of place at the Musée. The new building will also feature spaces that create new opportunities for artists and visitors. This historic development will allow us to join the public in shaping the Musée of tomorrow.

Jean Paul Riopelle was one of the world’s most influential Québec artists of his era, and the most recognized master of Québec’s modern art movement in France and the United States. Riopelle paved the way for Québec’s remarkable art to achieve recognition around the world. His contribution to the history of art is both indisputable and extraordinary.

Riopelle’s art transcends borders; his works can be found in public and private collections in over 60 cities in 18 countries on six continents. The artist had ties to figures like Joan Mitchell, Alberto Giacometti, Joan Miró, Sam Francis, and Zao Wou-Ki, and to this day his works remain some of the world’s most sought-after art by a Canadian artist. We certainly have a lot to be proud of!

The new pavilion will celebrate other artists as well, with space being given to art by women, First Nations members, and others from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. In doing so, we will establish a dialogue between contemporary and emerging artists and Riopelle’s works.

The MNBAQ’s Riopelle collection consisted of 447 pieces, making it the largest public collection in the world. It has been enhanced by 68 major works by Riopelle: 39 from Mr. Audain and 29 from Mr. Lassonde.

We considered several options before choosing to construct a new building. This was the best solution to fulfill the vision of the Riopelle Foundation, the group of patrons, and the MNBAQ.

It also allows the Musée to preserve certain elements of our built heritage, particularly the central pavilion, which needed major repairs and renovations. The location keeps impacts to a minimum as it preserves some existing elements (notably the storerooms). It also allows us to improve the entire guest experience for our visitors.

We have extensive, well-known expertise in real estate projects thanks to past achievements like the 1991 expansion and the 2016 construction of the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion. To avoid cost overruns and meet deadlines, all stages of the project will be managed meticulously and carried out with the utmost care.

Québec firm Les Architectes FABG was chosen by the jury after careful examination of the four finalists.

Each finalist was asked to develop their initial conceptual approach into a functional solution while respecting the project’s needs and staying within the technical and budgetary constraints. The resulting sketches needed to be advanced enough to provide an overall view of the project’s design. They also needed to provide insight into the quality and depth of the chosen firm’s considerations, with a view to undertaking the integrated design process with the MNBAQ and Jean Paul Riopelle Foundation teams.

More specifically, the jury members had to decide whether each proposal met several criteria that would hold the project to the highest architectural standards. These criteria included:
- Respectful integration with the landscape and the historical and architectural context of the location (particularly the Charles Baillairgé Pavilion, a heritage building)
- Creation of a distinctive landmark at the entrance to the Plains of Abraham historic site that harmonizes with the museum complex day and night
- Design of a distinctive, thoughtful, and high-quality structure that communicates with the nature around it and reflects the vocation of the future pavilion, namely the display of Jean Paul Riopelle’s art
- Creation of a museum space that provides an accessible, innovative visitor experience
- Appropriateness of the formal treatment and recovery of as many systems and networks as possible (mechanically, electrically, and structurally) in view of obtaining LEED certification
- Technical feasibility and compliance with the construction budget

It gave our teams the time and conditions they need to complete the preparatory phase of the work, and especially to prepare and reorganize our storerooms. This is not something that can be done quickly, as there are more than 42,000 works in our collections.

Many works, especially sculptures and works made of glass or other fragile materials, needed to be relocated so they wouldn’t be damaged by vibrations from the construction. This long interlude is necessary for a transformative project of this scale.

All public and exhibition spaces in the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion will remain open.

The Musée’s main entrance is in the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion at 179 Grande Allée West. The central pavilion entrance is no longer accessible.

The parking lot behind the Charles Baillairgé Pavilion (the former prison) is open during construction on the Espace Riopelle, but there are fewer spaces available.

The parking lot may be full when you come to visit the Musée. If so, we encourage you to use the nearby public parking lots.

Otherwise, you can avoid the hassle of parking by taking public transit. The Musée is served by the 11 bus, which stops directly across from the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion. Metrobus routes 800 and 801 also stop nearby, on René-Lévesque Boulevard.

In summer, there is an àVélo bike-sharing station on De Bourlamaque Avenue, just a few metres from the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion. We also offer racks for personal bicycles to the left of the Musée’s main entrance, along the side of Saint-Dominique Church.

Once the new pavilion is officially open, the other pavilions and their galleries will be reopened gradually, but the works they exhibit may have changed.

All our services are centralized. The cloakroom, Librairie-Boutique, restaurant, mediation activities, corporate activities, and group check-ins are now all in the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion.

Even though the layout of the complex is changing temporarily, we are continuing to offer a variety of programming. You can enjoy our cultural activities throughout the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion and in the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Auditorium, the Grand Hall, public spaces, and the new spaces created in the galleries.

Yes, all spaces in the Pierre Lassonde Pavilion can be rented during construction. Learn more about space rentals

Member satisfaction is our top priority, and our team wants to minimize the impact on our Members. The most popular benefits, like free and unlimited access to the Musée, priority access to major exhibitions, exclusive events for Members, and special rates on services and activities, are not changing. We are also adjusting some of the privileges offered to our Members to better align with their interests.

The membership packages will remain the same, with single (ages 18–30, 31–64, and 65+), Duo (two Members or one Member + one guest), and Allié (philanthropic) memberships.

You will be the first to know about any changes to the Musée’s offer.