Visit Musée d'art de Joliette for Free on First Sundays
Quick Tip
Visit the Musée d'art de Joliette on the first Sunday of any month for free admission to permanent collections and most temporary exhibitions.
Free museum access at Musée d'art de Joliette (MAJ) happens every first Sunday. This post explains exactly how the program works, what's on display, and how to plan your visit without any surprises.
Is the Musée d'art de Joliette really free on Sundays?
Yes—on the first Sunday of every month, admission is free for everyone. This isn't a Quebec-only deal; it's part of a broader cultural access initiative that MAJ participates in consistently. (Don't confuse this with regular Sunday hours—other Sundays still charge the standard fee.)
The museum opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 5 p.m. on free Sundays. That said, you won't be the only one thinking of stopping by. Crowds tend to build by early afternoon—families, art students, and curious locals all pile in.
What can you see at MAJ for free?
Everything. On first Sundays, there's no restricted access—the permanent collection, temporary exhibitions, and outdoor sculpture garden are all open. The museum holds one of Canada's most significant collections of Quebec and Canadian art, plus European works spanning six centuries.
Here's what's typically available:
| Area | What You'll Find | Time Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent Collection | Quebec artists from 1820–present; Group of Seven; European religious art | 60–90 minutes |
| Temporary Exhibitions | Rotating contemporary shows, usually 2–3 running simultaneously | 45–60 minutes |
| Sculpture Garden | Outdoor works on the museum grounds—great even in winter with proper boots | 20–30 minutes |
The museum sits right downtown—five minutes from Ville de Joliette's main street. You can park at the Musée d'art de Joliette lot or find street parking on Rue Saint-Louis (free on Sundays).
What's the best way to plan your free Sunday visit?
Arrive early—10:00 or 10:30 a.m. gets you in before the lunch rush. No reservations needed for free Sundays, which means no online booking stress. Just show up. The catch? Popular temporary exhibitions can mean lines by noon.
Worth noting: the museum café (Le Café du MAJ) isn't free—budget $8–$14 for coffee and a pastry. (It's actually quite good, but pack snacks if you're counting pennies.) Guided tours run at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on first Sundays; they're included, though tips are appreciated.
Bring a reusable bag—there's a small boutique with exhibition catalogs, and Loto-Québec sponsors some MAJ programs, so you'll occasionally see related merchandise mixed in with the art books.
The building itself deserves attention—Victorian architecture with modern additions, all recently renovated. Free Sundays aren't "cheap" Sundays. The experience is identical to paying full price. Just don't forget—Joliette winters hit hard. The museum's heated, but the walk from parking isn't.