7 Surprising Facts About the Parliament Building

Comité éditorial Destination Québec cité
Équipe éditoriale
Published on January 27, 2020
parliament building
©Collection Assemblée nationale. Claude Mathieu

Content partner: Québec's National Assembly

The Parliament Building, which houses Québec’s National Assemblythe central institution of the province’s democracyis full of secrets and surprises. Discover some of them!

  • A Clock Behind the Time

    Horloge tour parlement quebec

    Mention de source
    Assemblée nationale©Collection Assemblée nationale. Christian Chevalier

    Did you know the splendid heritage clock that adorns the Parliament Tower falls 15 seconds behind every week? For André Viger, the “keeper of time,” every second counts! Viger, a master clockmaker for 55 years now, does his magic every Tuesday and manually winds back the clock. He is one of few with the necessary expertise to work on old mechanical clocks.

  • Je me souviens: More Than Just a Licence Plate

    Je me souviens

    Mention de source
    ©Collection Assemblée nationale. Sébastien Chamberland (DDD)

    The famous motto Je me souviens (I remember), found on all Québec licence plates, was created by Eugène-Étienne Taché, designer of the Parliament Building. Engraved above the main entrance, it evokes the architecture of the Parliament. As the works of art adorning the facade illustrate, the motto honours the heroes of New France and leading figures of the British regime.

  • Busy Bees

    Jardins devant le parlement
    Mention de source ©Collection Assemblée nationale. Marc-André Grenier

    The National Assembly boasts beautiful gardens for you to explore, including an urban vegetable garden where dozens of different herbs, vegetables, berries, edible plants, and fruit trees are grown using organic methods. There are even beehives on the roof! In 2017, over 250,000 bees produced 175 kg of urban honey, sold at the Boutique de l’Assemblée.

  • Prehistoric Fossils in a Beautiful Library

    Library National Assembly

    Mention de source
    ©Collection Assemblée nationale. Claude Mathieu

    Open to the public, the National Assembly Library is the perfect place to quietly study or read in a remarkable setting. The walls, floors, and stairs are covered in 7 types of marble that add to the palatial effect. You can even find 50-million-year-old fossilized ammonites and molluscs in the marble of the pillars—truly astounding! The library also houses rare and precious books, the oldest dating back to 1473. 

  • Deliciously Well-Kept Secret—Until Now

    Le Parlementaire - Distinctive restaurant
    Collection Assemblée nationale, Claude Mathieu photographe

    Once exclusively reserved for members of the National Assembly, Le Parlementaire restaurant has been open to the public since 1967. The enchanting Beaux-Arts style décor and fleur-de-lys china are a treat for the eyes. Enjoy exquisite local cuisine at very affordable prices. What’s more, in season, much of the produce featured on the menu comes from the Parliament gardens.

  • A Portrait Like No Other

    Assemblée nationale

    Mention de source
    ©Collection Assemblée nationale. Christian Chevalier

    The Speakers’ Gallery on the ground floor of the Parliament Building displays portraits of all former Speakers of the National Assembly since 1867. They each selected the artist who created their portrait. Famous Québec painter Jean Paul Lemieux was commissioned to do the portrait of Clément Richard, Speaker of the National Assembly from 1976 to 1980.

  • New at the National Assembly…

    Monument parlement de Quebec
    Mention de source OTQ

    Since spring 2019, visitors enter the building via a new, more secure, and more accessible underground reception pavilion. What’s more, there’s a new monument on the grounds marking the 225th anniversary of Québec’s parliamentary institutions and the first election of 1792. Entitled Member of Parliament Arriving in Québec, the monument draws inspiration from the bronze by Québec artist Alfred Laliberté.

    Pro Tip

    The National Assembly offers guided tours by experienced guides. They are free and given in English and French upon reservation. Visitors learn about the history and workings of the National Assembly, discover the architecture of the Parliament Building and the works of art it houses, and hear several fascinating historical anecdotes.

    Québec's National Assembly
    1045, rue des Parlementaires
    Québec City, G1A 1A3

    What exactly is a content partner?
    A content partner acts as a sponsor by paying for a post. Destination Québec cité retains editorial control over the content of such posts. Content partners can have a say in the approach or the subject of a post but are not involved in its creation.

You'll Also Like

  • A couple walk on the Pierre-Dugua-De Mons terrace near Avenue Saint-Denis, looking at the Château Frontenac.
    10 Best Things to Do in Old Québec City
    Read
  • Guided walking tour in Old Québec
    Walking Tours in Québec City
    Read
  • A Native American dancer performs a traditional dance inside the longhouse in Wendake, near Québec City.
    The Best Experiences to Discover the Indigenous Culture
    Read
  • Guide qui ouvre la porte de la poudrière
    12 Historical Gems You Should Not Miss in Old Québec
    Read
  • Family eating at Maison Smith in place Royale
    14 Historic Places That Bring Québec City's Key Moments to Life
    Read
  • Piétons près de la porte Saint-Jean
    How to Embrace Responsible Travel in Old Québec
    Read
  • Musical performance at the Citadelle of Québec.
    15 Sites Witness to our British and Irish Heritage
    Read