Chapelle/Musée des Ursulines

Frommer's Review

Marie de l'Incarnation arrived in Québec City in 1639 and her Ursuline convent, originally built as a girls' school in 1642, is North America's oldest. The museum tells the story of the nuns, who were also pioneers and artists. On display are vestments woven with gold thread and a cape made of the drapes from the bedroom of Anne of Austria, which was given to the 40-year-old Marie de l'Incarnation when she left for New France. There are also musical instruments and Amerindian crafts, including the flèche, or arrow sash, which is still worn during the winter carnival. Some of the docents are nuns of the still-active order.

The chapel is notable for the sculptures in its pulpit and two richly decorated altarpieces, created by Pierre-Noël Levasseur between 1726 and 1736. Although the present building dates only from 1902, much of the interior decoration is nearly 200 years older. Marie de l'Incarnation's tomb is to the right of the entry. Pope John Paul II beatified her in 1980.

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