A museum
on a
fjord
Museums are cool places and fjords are cool places so a museum on a fjord is a very, very cool place.
The Musee Du Fjord is located in the Quebec town of Labaie right on the majestic Sagueney Fjord. Great hiking, mountain biking and yaking in all directions and the museum just makes it even better.
The whole area was devastated by massive floods back in 1996 and had to be rebuilt so the museum is still new and shiny. Extremely clean, I actually wiped my feet before going in. The building itself is much larger than it looks from the outside and has a very spacious feel inside. Not crowded and cluttered like many museums, this is a place where you can stroll about and look at stuff without worrying about knocking something over or stepping on someone.
I've been here several times and each time it had new exhibits. The emphasize is on the local history and ecology of the area and the displays are both entertaining and edifying. Lots of cool models of fishies with some huge and impressive cartilaginous beasties. Enough to make you wonder what's lurking beneath you while yaking the fjord.
The history of the region is also well represented and many displays tell stories in a extremely interesting and fascinating manner. Staff members unobtrusively wander about and will patiently answer any stupid questions. While I was there lots of kids were running around both inside and out with nets and buckets. Obviously the museum is an active and learning facility and not just a static and morbid mausoleum.
Incredibly clean bathrooms and a cool little gift shop are located in the front of the building. Lots of books, trinkets, souvenirs and of course crummy t-shirts are available to buy for friends or better yet yourself.
I don't imagine too many people go out of their way to visit Labaie. That's too bad because the area is a pristine and beautiful place to spend some time. The Musee du Fjord gives names and history to the surrounding water and hills and is a great example of what a museum should be.
A museum
on a
fjord read more