Musée des beaux-arts du Canada

This is one museum you definitly have to visite if you like art. The building itself is worth a visit on its own.

Well worth a visit, well laid out, plenty of space to move around and a plethora of art on offer - Indigenous and Canadian, American and European. Great quiet/sit out places and do visit the Rideau Chapel - a bit spooky! But you quickly adapt to the singing and chatter. Offers art activities for young people/children in the Scotia Bank Grand Hall and the cafe on the first floor offers range of refreshments (but better choice the earlier you go)

Fees to enter vary based on day of week and age -- book directly with the National Gallery of Canada, or buy a membership (if you want to support them or plan to visit 2-3 times per year). Wonderful as always -- particularly enjoyed "Curve! Women Carvers on the Northwest Coast" which ends July 26, 2026.

Ottawa's 'National Gallery' is incredible, for countless reasons. Let me start with: - location! truly in the heart of the nation's capital - Ottawa (NOT Toronto, folks!) - 10 minutes from parliament, the Byward Market, scores of restaurants and bars, the canal, and more! - true treasures!! We specifically went to view the current special exhibit - "Qillaniq", and exposé on aboriginal Canadian art - but we were taken in by numerous other pieces of work - the building/grounds/architecture!!! A truly magnificent setting to wander and admire. Even the grounds around the gallery are beautiful, with sculptures and other pieces to gawk at. Highly recommended to spend a few hours in and around while in lovely Ottawa.

We bought 3 day Ottawa Museums pass. What a deal! As our national gallery of Canada, it did not disappoint. We totally enjoyed it. Of course you love the paintings. From the group of seven Canadian painters, but there's so much more. One thing that surprised us with how great it was in the Rideau Chapel and the Forty-Part Motet is an immersive sound installation at the featuring 40 speakers arranged in an oval and vocal choruses filling the room. Thumbs up!

Magnificent museum with many exhibitions, easy to spend hours especially to escape the Canadian cold. Cafeteria: Worst customer service!! We come at 1:30 to get a bagel and it takes 40 minutes before we decide to go to the counter... the employee tells us that he rang our beaper 4 times (he lives in a parallel universe in my opinion). The employee has the nerve and arrogance to tell us that “it got us going.”

Visited as part of a guided group tour, this extraordinary museum would have deserved much more time. If we could have benefited from the brilliant expertise of the guide, we should have given well over an hour and a half, because here it was rather a small summary of what this place has to offer. The chapel, the sounds, are definitely worth a signed stop. The great Canadian painters of the early independence as well. And, of course, First Nations!

One of the best museums I have experienced anywhere. It is a sprawling, meandering layout on 2 levels with no logical circuit to follow. But it does not matter because you will discover something more interesting at the next turn. It is a beautiful mix of mainly neo classical and contemporary focused on Canadian artists of the last 150 years. Very well displayed with beautiful explanations. You will need at least 2 hours to do justice. The Building is as impressive as the art.

This was a return visit for my family. The last time being 7 years ago. The building itself is a art due to the striking architecture: modern, airy and thoughtfully designed to complement the art it houses. Inside, the collection is vast and varied, offering something for every taste, from classic Canadian works to bold contemporary pieces. This time, we explored two special exhibits that stood out in very different ways. Erica Rutherford: Her Lives and Works was a fascinating journey through the evolution of an artist’s identity and style. The exhibit offered intimate insight into Rutherford’s personal and creative transformation, making it both moving and thought-provoking. Skawennati: Welcome to the Dreamhouse was a complete contrast—immersive, digital, and conceptually challenging. It pushed boundaries and made us reflect on the very definition of art in today’s world. Highly recommended for anyone curious, creative, or simply looking to be inspired.

After having the chance to visit Museums like the MET (in New York), the Louvre in Paris, the Musée van Gogh and the Rijksmuseum both in Amsterdam... I must admit that our Canadian palace literally lacks content! Especially since the box office price is very high when compared to these other museums...