Aquarium du Québec

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General Map
Main Building

1. The Reception Pavilion

Here, visitors can buy entry tickets, browse around the souvenir store, rent a stroller, or borrow a wheelchair. The Discovery Pavilion, which adjoins the reception building, is dedicated to our school clientele.

2. The Wetlands

As you cross the marsh on a footbridge, keep your eyes open…you may be treated to a glimpse of one of the bullfrogs that lives here. Not far from the marsh, children can play in a games zone designed especially for them. In the summer, a healthy snack bar, the Croque-Nature, is a great place to take a break and enjoy the view of the St. Lawrence River and the Québec Bridge.

3. The Main Building

This three-level building takes visitors on a voyage from fresh water to salt water along the St. Lawrence to the Great Lakes and all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Discover close to 10,000 specimens representing more than 300 species of aquatic animals.

To visit the Main Building, click on the Main Building tab.

4. St. Lawrence River Seals

Admire the St. Lawrence seals in an exceptional setting overlooking the St. Lawrence River and the bridges. The St. Lawrence is composed of fresh water near Parc Aquarium du Québec, but begins getting salty at the eastern tip of Île d’Orléans.

Harbour Seals
Four females live and develop in this basin: Daphné, Daïla, Cléo and Nicky. The first three are sisters born here at Aquarium du Québec. Nicky, comes from Saint-Andrews, New Brunswick. The basin also offers an underwater observation window.

Grey Seals
A long muzzle makes the grey seal easy to identify. This characteristic has earned it the nickname of the “horsehead seal”. At the Aquarium, our trio of grey seals live in three basins. The females’ names are Caroline, Odyssée and Chinook.

5. The Arctic Sector

The Arctic sector stars Atlantic and Pacific walrus, polar bears, harp seals, and the grey seals. Come and observe them in a natural decor designed for their comfort and your enjoyment.

Atlantic and Pacific Walrus
At the foot of the Arctic cliff, in addition to the harp seals and the grey seals, you will also find Atlantic and Pacific walrus. They are part of the odobenidae family, “those who walk with teeth”. .

Polar Bears
The Arctic Zone includes a huge basin where two polar bears named Tiguak and Eddy live. You will see them pace up and down the ice floe or plunge into the water to get their food. Our underwater observation window makes it possible to watch these large mammals swimming underwater.

6. The Conservatory

Here we have recreated the voyages of yesterday’s great explorers. Discover the treasures these naturalist travellers brought back with them. This is a captivating exhibition with artefacts, mounted animals and two very-much-alive reptiles, which are certain to impress you.

6. The Grande Ourse Restaurant

This cafeteria-style restaurant offers excellent hot meals and a variety of sandwiches – something for every taste. Come summer, dairy delights are also available at La Voie lactée, located near the restaurant entrance. The Grande Ourse is open for groups in the evening. The restaurant also has a magnificent terrace with a view of the St. Lawrence and is open from June to September. Reservations required.. For receptions, the room accommodates up to 300 people.

A. The Atrium – Level 0

Two aspects of the main building will capture your attention as soon as you walk through the doors – the naval-inspired architecture and the huge rock under the stairwell, a vestige of the rugged terrain on which Parc Aquarium du Québec was built. The Aqua Bistro restaurant is also located this large Atrium, along with a cloakroom and washrooms. Since the summer of 2007, the Atrium has also been home to a number of exotic fish.

B. and C. Fresh and Salt Water – Levels 0 and 1

Discover the marvellous adventure of the St. Lawrence River along two hallways. There are about a dozen basins on the two levels, which successively recreate the habitats typical of the St. Lawrence Corridor. Travel from fresh water marshes to the salty waters of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Interpretation panels and an audio information system accompany you on your visit.

D. The Coastal Zone – Level 2

Experience nature at close range. In the Coastal Zone visitors can touch a wide variety of Atlantic and Pacific invertebrates…Caress a starfish, a sea urchin, a sea cucumber or a hermit crab, but watch out for the sea anemones. They are gifts for the eyes alone. Naturalists on the site will guide you in your tactile explorations.

E. The Scientific Carrefour – Level 2

The Alcove
This is a small amphitheatre for about twenty people, featuring a continuous presentation of educational and scientific film excerpts.

The Lab’eau
Pull on a white coat and make some scientific discoveries of your own…In this small laboratory, visitors can examine the micro-organisms of the plankton world. The laboratory is also home to some living creatures (frogs, tortoises, snakes, etc.).

F. The Polar Desert – Level 2

This spectacular 22-foot-high basin offers an impressive view of the Awesome Ocean (level 0). This is also where divers get ready to dive into the Awesome Ocean and feed the fish. The Photos on the walls of the Polar Desert illustrate the phenomenon of the Northern Lights.

Arctic Corridor – Level 2
The Arctic Corridor presents some Northern Pacific species, like the very impressive giant Pacific octopus and some pipefish. The water temperature is between 8°C and 10°C in certain basins.

Jellyfish Corridor – Level 2
In the Jelly Fish Corridor, visitors are treated to a magnificent blue-tinged ballet, presented by a fascinating species, the jellyfish. This species swims in all the seas of the world, whether hot or cold. Ours were raised here at the Aquarium. You can see young jellyfish, or polyps, at the Scientific Carrefour.

G. The Awesome Ocean – Level 0

A spectacular stroll along an acrylic tunnel surrounded by 350,000 litres of water and 3,000 invertebrate and fish species from the Sub-Arctic Pacific. Wolf-eels, sunflower starfish and other species are a feast for the eyes. At 8 °C, the water is cold, especially for the diver who feeds the fish once a day while answering your questions with the help of a communication system.

H. The Aqua Bistro

Located at the half-way point of your visit, the Aqua Bistro is a great place to relax and enjoy healthy meals, such as salads, sandwiches, and pitas. A variety of beverages are also available.

For more information, click on the coloured circles.