Accessibility

Planning Your Visit

Entry into the Musée is free, or by generous donation, and unticketed. All are welcome to come and go during opening hours, and there is no need to queue for entry.

Viewings of our temporary and permanent exhibitions are also free and unticketed.

At this time, we are unable to offer free lockers for public storage of travel items during your visit. Backpacks, large bags, and outside food or drink are not permitted within the Musée or on its grounds unless otherwise indicated (i.e., special events). Exceptions are made for medical or religious needs.

Arriving & Entering the Musée

See our Getting Here page for full details on directions and available parking.

All public entrances into the Musée are step-free access. There is a sloped driveway up to the front main entrance. An Information Desk is located on the left-hand side of the double-doors connecting the narthex with the central nave.

Pets & Service Animals

Animals and pets are permitted within or on the museum grounds, only if permission is granted by the Musée and they are properly harnessed and under their owners’ control at all times. This includes service animals, emotional support, therapy, comfort, companion animals, and service animals in-training.

For safety reasons, proper harnessing must be maintained at all times as much of our collection is on open display.

Smoking Policy

Smoking of any form is strictly prohibited in all museum facilities and must not be conducted within 100 feet of the museum grounds. This includes e-cigarettes.

Photography Policy

Still photography and video taken from a handheld device of our collections and of the site’s structure(s) are permitted for personal, non-distributional, non-commercial use. No photographic nor videographic development(s) may be reproduced, published, distributed, sold, transferred, or otherwise commercially exploited without written permission from the Musée. 

Formal portraits, event photography, and any other commissioned photography require permission from the Musée.

For the safety of our visitors and for the safety and preservation of our collections and facilities, the Musée discourages the use of photographic flashes, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, or similar devices. This preventative measure is especially important on the occasion(s) of crowded conditions. Working members of the media who require the use of a tripod or monopod must obtain written permission from the Musée.

The use of model airplanes and unmanned aircraft (drones) for the purposes of photographic or videographic production within or over the property of the Musée is not permitted without the site’s permission and/or commission.

In the Museum

Accessibility Equipment & Resources

The following items are available for visitors to borrow. All items will be cleaned between each user.

• Wheelchairs and Walking Canes – To reserve one in advance, please call ahead at +1 (207) 895-3339, and we will arrange for one to be in the narthex upon your arrival.

The Museum Environment

The Musée is a historic building which has been renovated and adapted over the centuries.

Our floors are firm and level. The upper choir loft overlooking the central nave, however, slopes gently at about a 5-degree angle in its leveling. This angle was purposely designed when the site was constructed in 1910 and is safe to walk on. Stairs to specific areas have handrails on one or both sides.

Most of the museum is well-lit with both natural and electric light. Some rooms, such as the upper choir loft and passageways to the former Sacristy, are darker. The museum retains a cool temperature, even on a hot day.

We are actively engaged in carrying out meticulous restoration work. Please excuse our mess and continue to be mindful of where you step. Certain areas are off-limits to sightseeing and have been visually indicated. For safety reasons, please do not venture into these areas.

Open Display

Much of our collection is open display, which means that many objects are not in glass cases or guarded behind ropes or screens. Touching can cause unseen damage, so we ask that you do not touch any of the objects on display.

We also ask you to limit your physical contact with the structural components that compose the site that is the Musée. These include the walls and windows. Please take extra care when moving around.

We hope you enjoy being able to see the collection close-up.

Seating

The pews aligning the chambers of the central nave and side aisles of the former Notre-Dame still remain. Sections of them are reserved for visitor use and momentary rest. The Musée also has available portable folding gallery seats with cushions. Visitors may request one and they will be provided within the former Sacristy. Shareable benches with backrests also reside within the former Sacristy.

Food & Drink

Please do not bring any outside food or drinks in the museum – this is for the safety of the collection.

Though the Musée does not have a restaurant or café on its premises for visitors, many are located in the neighboring townships of Madawaska and Van Buren – both about a mere 12 miles (19 km) in distance from the Musée.

Public Restrooms

An ADA-accessible, gender-neutral restroom is available in the southwest corridor that connects the chapel and the main church building. Within it contains a single-use toilet, sink, soap, paper towels, a mirror and a bin.

Please Ask for Assistance

Should you need any assistance at any point during your visit, please do not hesitate to ask! We want to ensure your visit to the Musée is a memorable one and an experience deeply enjoyed.