Activities
For the whole family
The festivities at Château Dufresne!
A range of activities to do with the family
Naughty elves at Château Dufresne!
Little Laurette is looking for five elves who are hiding in the chimneys of her big house. Visitor’s notebook and sense of observation come to the children’s aid to answer the riddles invented by these naughty little elves. A magic Christmas word can be found to participate in the big draw on January 12: a chance to win a creative game.
Continuously, from December 1st, 2024 to January 12, 2025.
The TOP-5 of our most beautiful fireplaces
Discover the differences between the most beautiful chimneys at Château Dufresne using a game trail to spot three errors in each of the corresponding drawings.
Continuously, from December 1, 2024 to January 12, 2025.
The Marius Workshops
Creative thematic workshops inspired by collections and exhibitions.
The Angels of Nincheri
The decorative painter of Château Dufresne, Guido Nincheri, has also created the stained glass windows of more than 250 churches in Quebec. Inspired by his work, families are invited to create watercolours on the theme of angels.
Continuously on Sundays December 8, 15, 22, 29 and January 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Nostalgic Viauville: Making a 3D model
On the occasion of its exhibition Viauville : C’est l’avenir! nostalgia will come to families with a reissue of the back of Vénus biscuit boxes (the famous Whippet!) from the 80s. It includes models to cut out of two emblematic buildings of Viauville: the Biscuiterie Viau & frère and the church of Saint-Clément-de-Viauville.
Continuously on Sunday December 1st and Saturdays December 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th and January 4th, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Flair et luminaires
Cheerful luminaries make the conversation. They give you plenty of clues to solve five cases as you walk around the Castle!
At any time
The TOP-5 of our most beautiful fireplaces
A new course-game to spot the differences and three errors in each of the drawings corresponding to the beautiful chimneys of the Castle.
At any time
A Bestiary in the Wallpaper
Fantastic animals and creatures hide in plain sight in the striking decor of the Château. Can you find them as you walk through the rooms?
At any time
Gourmet feast
A game trail that will allow you to help the governesses of Château Dufresne prepare a gourmet feast. You will see, flowers and fruits are in abundance in the decorations of the Château.
At any time
For coloring Aces: Pick up your pencils!
Drawings of objects from our collections to download :
Guided tours
The Château visits
Guided tours start at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays for people on site.
Guided tours are offered to organized groups at any time, but reservations are required.
Group reservation
School programs
School group reservation
The Château bestiary
This thematic walk-through tour introduces youngsters to practise observation and discover depictions of animals and fantastic creatures in the astonishing decoration of the Château.
< Preschool / Elementary Cycle 1 >
The Shoemaking Industry in Maisonneuve
The great power of seduction exerted by the industrial policy of the City of Maisonneuve attracted many factories making mainly shoes. In 1911, the city could boast that it was “the biggest shoemaking centre on the Island of Montreal.” An invitation to discover the splendours and miseries of an industrial heritage that has since been trampled on.
< Elementary /Secondary >
In the Footsteps of Marius Dufresne
The legacy of Marius Dufresne is still very much alive in the old City of Maisonneuve. The architectural value of the heritage buildings he helped to build bear the signs of his openness to innovation and the great ideas of his time. A multi-faceted man of rare talent, he was at one and the same time an engineer, an architect and a surveyor.
< Elementary /Secondary >
A History of Styles, a Matter of Taste
In the Dufresne era, the decorative style of each room in the great middleclass houses shared a common vocabulary:
Italian Renaissance, Louis XV, Second Empire, Elizabethan. … Can you find your way amid the eclecticism of the Château’s many decorative styles, or the Orientalist influences found there?
< College and university students, and professionals >
Francization
When the World Spoke French
The Château de Maisonneuve’s tour experience is an excellent opportunity to improve your knowledge of French. As you wind your way through the various rooms in the sumptuous twin houses of the brothers Oscar and Marius Dufresne, you can witness the daily lives of these two members of the francophone middle class, who left their mark on the development of Montréal. You can also explore some of the cultural issues associated with the French characterization of the metropole in the previous century.
< New arrivals, welcoming classes and francization community groups >
Talks and encounters
Meeting with the collector Pierre Gervais
Pierre Gervais is passionate about Biscuiterie Viau & Frère. For several years, he has been collecting objects, photographs and documents from this iconic French-speaking company. Come meet him to discover the little story behind his collection and the items presented in the temporary exhibition Viauville, c’est l’avenir!
Saturday, December 7 at 1 p.m.
This activity is included in the cost of the museum entrance ticket (permanent exhibition of Château Dufresne and temporary exhibition Viauville, c’est l’avenir!)
Reservation required, limited places
accueil@chateaudufresne.com