Tours and programs

Power, love and politics, discover the intrigues of life in the Cartiers home. Choose between for a guided or self-guided tour, as well as a special holiday tour and outdoor mobile guided tour.

Take part in activities that will help you discover the bourgeois life and the birth of modern Canada:

• Regular guided tour
• Special guided tour: A Victorian Christmas
• Self-guided tour of the Victorian house
• Outdoor mobile guided tour: The Cartiers neighbourhood

Regular guided tour

Themes: an overview of the political life of Sir George-Étienne Cartier and a presentation of the bourgeois ways of life and the distinctive features of the Victorian home (west side only).

Period: June to October. In December, the program features “A Victorian Christmas” guided tours.

Lenght: 45 minutes

Schedule: guided tours run all day, with no fixed schedule. No reservation required.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all, but aimed more at adults

Accessibility: the house is accessible via a paved walkway and an 80 cm-wide door with automatic door opener. On the first floor, there is an interior ramp with a 13% gradient, providing access to the first exhibition and to the Victorian house on the west side. An elevator provides access to the restrooms in the basement and to the exhibitions on the upper floors.

This guided tour is also available for groups. Visit the Group activities section.

Special guided tour: A Victorian Christmas
Available only in December, during the holiday season

Explore Christmas magic in Sir George-Étienne Cartier's Victorian home, decked out with vintage ornaments and learn more about the fascinating origins of Christmas traditions that are still enjoyed today.

Themes: the Christmas tree and ornaments, etiquette and traditional cooking, Santa Claus, games, Christmas cards and gifts.

Period: in December only. Visit the Calendar section for specific dates.

Lenght: about 50 minutes

Schedule: guided tours run all day, with no fixed schedule. No reservation required. For reservations, send an email to cartier@pc.gc.ca.

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: for all ages

Accessibility: the house is accessible via a paved walkway and an 80 cm-wide door with automatic door opener. On the first floor, there is an interior ramp with a 13% gradient, providing access to the first exhibition and to the Victorian house on the west side. An elevator provides access to the restrooms in the basement and to the exhibitions on the upper floors.

This guided tour is also available for groups. Visit the Group activities section.

Self-guided tour of the Victorian house

Length: about 90 minutes

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: for all ages

Accessibility: the house is accessible via a paved walkway and an 80 cm-wide door with automatic door opener. On the first floor, there is an interior ramp with a 13% gradient, providing access to the first exhibition and to the Victorian house on the west side. An elevator provides access to the restrooms in the basement and to the exhibitions on the upper floors.

East side

As soon as you enter Sir George-Étienne Cartier National Historic Site, you'll be invited to visit both sides of the famous Victorian house.

After paying your entry fees at the reception desk on the ground floor, turn left and enter the house on the east side.

You will be able to see the State of Play exhibition, with its interactive games that plunge you straight into the debates of the Confederation era.

Once you've climbed the stairs to the building's second floor, other exhibitions such as Stories in Silver and Imagine a Country await you on the east side.

West side

While the east side of the house resonates with the present, the west side of the property presents the past through sumptuous rooms that have skilfully stood the test of time.

On the other side of the porte cochere are the main salon, dining room, tea room and Madame Cartier's bedroom, which you can visit at your leisure.

Outdoor mobile guided tour: The Cartiers neighbourhood

Complete your discovery of Monsieur Cartier's fascinating life and influence in Old Montréal with this free self-guided tour!

Themes: This audio tour features a 12-stop historical walk through places once frequented by Cartier and his entourage in the mid-19th century.

Location: the Old Montreal district

• First stop: in front of Sir George-Étienne Cartier’s Victorian house
• Last stop: the Bank of Montreal

Length: 45 minutes

Distance: 1 kilometre

Languages offered: English and French

Audience: the content is suitable for all, but aimed more at adults

Accessibility: the official Parks Canada App supports screen readers and is available in several languages for certain tours.

Instructions: download and open Parks Canada App on your phone. Click on Mobile Guided Tours, then on Sir George-Étienne-Cartier. Click on Historic walk, then on Start tour.

In order to get the most out of the outdoor mobile guided tour your self-guided tour, we recommend:

• Downloading the application before you arrive at the site, as the historic site does not have Wi-Fi. You can also use the Wi-Fi terminals available to visitors in Old Montréal. Once downloaded, the app works offline.
• Using a well-charged smartphone for an optimal experience.
• Wearing appropriate walking shoes and clothing suitable for the weather.