The Fascinating World of the Canadian Museum of Nature 

Are you looking for an exciting cultural getaway for the whole family? The Canadian Museum of Nature is the perfect destination. With its interactive galleries and fascinating exhibits, the museum invites you to explore the mysteries of nature, from prehistoric creatures to underwater wonders. Take a look at what awaits you in the museum’s various galleries. 

Permanent Galleries

Step into the Canadian Museum of Nature’s permanent galleries and be dazzled by worlds rich in discovery. In the Fossil Gallery, walk alongside giants of the past, where impressive dinosaur skeletons take center stage. Dive beneath the waves in the Water Gallery, an immersive space highlighting Canada’s aquatic life from source to ocean. In the Mammal Gallery, explore the striking diversity of our wildlife in life-size dioramas that recreate the natural habitats of the country’s iconic animals. Each space is designed to spark curiosity and amaze visitors of all ages, fostering a deep respect for the surrounding nature.

The Living Insects Gallery: Insects at Work

Get ready to enter a world teeming with life! In the Live Bug Gallery, observe colonies of ants at work, admire camouflaged stick insects, and marvel at the shimmering colors of beetles. Here, insects are not just little creatures; they are true engineers of nature. Discover their crucial role in ecosystems and their incredible diversity. Enjoy interactive demonstrations that will pique your curiosity. It’s an immersive experience that will pique your curiosity in every sense of the word! 

This gallery highlights the often-overlooked world of insects and will make you see these tiny creatures in a whole new light. 

Did you know? Some beetles can produce light through a phenomenon called bioluminescence.  

The Bird Gallery: A Festival of Feathers

For bird lovers, the Bird Gallery is a true paradise. With over 500 stuffed bird specimens, visitors can admire the species’ diversity and learn to recognize their distinctive songs. 

The gallery provides a special chance to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the birds that live in our country. 

Did you know? The great blue heron can grow up to 1.4 meters tall. 

The Canada Goose Arctic Gallery: A World of Ice and Snow

Step into the frozen world of the Arctic! From polar bears to narwhals, learn how the First Peoples adapted to this extreme climate. 

This gallery offers total immersion in the life and challenges of this cold, remote region 

Did you know? Polar bears can swim over 100 kilometers in search of food! 

The Water Gallery: Secrets of the Ocean

Explore the mysterious depths of the ocean at the Water Gallery. This attraction features amazing sea creatures, from bioluminescent jellyfish to towering sharks. Learn how ocean currents influence our climate and discover efforts to preserve marine ecosystems. 

The Water Gallery will reveal just how mysterious the oceans still are. You can also admire the skeleton of a blue whale, the largest animal ever to live on Earth! 

Did you know? More than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored! 

Pacific Discovery Pool: A Sensory Experience

Immerse your hands in the fascinating world of Canada’s West Coast at the Pacific Discovery Pool. Located in the heart of the Water Gallery, this touch pool allows you to get close to starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and other marine life. Touch, explore, and learn — every interaction is a gateway to understanding Pacific coastal ecosystems. It’s a special moment that will delight children and curious adults alike! 

This gallery encourages direct contact with marine life, making learning as captivating as it is lively. 

Did you know? Some starfish can regenerate a lost arm or rebuild their entire body from a single limb.

The Mammal Gallery: Wildly Amazing

The Mammal Gallery showcases the diversity of Canada’s mammals. Admire the realistic specimens and learn how these animals have adapted to different environments. 

The gallery provides a fascinating glimpse into the behaviors and habitats of mammals, as well as their crucial role on the planet. 

Did you know? The beaver, Canada’s national animal, can fell a tree in a single night. 

THE EARTH GALLERY: EVOLUTION IN ACTION

Take a fascinating journey through the origins and diversity of our planet in the Earth Gallery. With over a thousand minerals and rocks in vibrant colors, this gallery offers a true sensory immersion into the geological world. Check out the spectacular displays and take a closer look at an authentic moon rock brought back to Earth by the Apollo 17 mission! 

Try your hand at fun activities such as making a miniature volcano, experiencing an earthquake, exploring a limestone cave, or observing minerals growing with the interactive metamorphicator. 

This gallery reveals the quiet power of the Earth, inviting visitors to understand the mechanisms of the planet and experience its ancient history. 

Did you know? The Earth is the only place in the universe where tectonic plates are found, a phenomenon that has been continuously shaping the continents and oceans for billions of years. 

The Fossil Gallery: The Age of Dinosaurs

Step back in time to the age of the dinosaurs in the Fossil Gallery. This impressive exhibition features life-size skeletons of prehistoric creatures, including the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex and the majestic triceratops. 

With fascinating facts and interactive displays, this gallery is sure to captivate young and old alike. Over 80% of the specimens on display are authentic! 

Did you know? The T. rex had the most powerful bite of any land animal ever known. 

Temporary Exhibitions

Be amazed by the temporary exhibitions that come to life throughout the year at the museum. Check the calendar regularly to stay up to date on the latest discoveries and innovative presentations.

The Man Who Planted Trees

Experience the inspiring world premiere of The Man Who Planted Trees. This Canadian exhibition combines poetic storytelling and scientific information to tell the story of a humble shepherd in the early 20th century. Through his perseverance, he reforested a desert valley in the French Alps, restoring biodiversity and bringing life back to an abandoned land. 

Take a 25-minute immersive journey punctuated by striking visual projections and interactive installations, including a 15-foot-tall technological tree that lights up when touched. 

Before or after the exhibition, watch Frédéric Back’s Oscar-winning animated short film. This thought-provoking film is about the power of a humble gesture to change the world. 

This exhibition will remind you that even the smallest seed can trigger lasting change. 

Butterflies in Flight

Step into an enchanted world where over 20 species of butterflies live freely in an environment that recreates a tropical forest. The temperature is kept at around 25°C with 70% humidity. 

Admire the gradual hatching of chrysalises from Costa Rica and the Philippines. Observe spectacular species, such as the blue morpho, swallowtail, and monarch, which transform the space into a colorful, living ballet. 

Every day, scientific interpreters are on hand to explain the life cycle of butterflies, their essential role as pollinators, and the care given to these fragile creatures in responsible breeding programs. 

This exhibition invites you to experience the fragility and wonder of life and shows how even the smallest insect can leave a lasting impression.

The Canadian Museum of Nature is more than just a place to learn—it’s an amazing adventure for the whole family. 

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For more suggestions, visit La Maison du Tourisme or consult the official 2025–2026 Outaouais Tourist Guide. Discover all the activities the region has to offer, then plan your itinerary based on the area you want to explore.