Last Updated on September 30, 2025 by Pamela MacNaughtan
Brightly coloured life-sized plastic people in clear plastic tubes welcome you at the entrance of ‘Crowds: Humans in Interaction‘ at Musée de la Civilisation in Quebec City’s Old Port. Sponsored by Playmobil (and others), the exhibit is thought-provoking and whimsical.
Honestly, the Musée de la Civilisation is the best museum in Quebec City, consistently creating exhibits that are interesting and educational for all age groups. Past exhibits have covered things like poop (yes, really), Lucha Libre, the history of beer, and Tintin.
Crowds: Humans in Interaction
The clear tubes of bright yellow, blue, red, and green plastic people are a whimsical introduction to the journey you’ll take through the power and evolution of crowds in our society. There’s a large backlit board filled with little Playmobil people; a massive crowd of people, but when you look close they’re clustered in little groups, couples, or standing solo.
It’s an introduction into how we perceive crowds, a theme that is carried throughout the exhibit, from videos and information panels to interactive audio installations and quirky objects.
It’s not just about physical crowds of people, something I actively avoid (as of the pandemic), it’s about herd mentality, digital crowds – like how social media forms public opinions – and the power of graffiti. And sitting back to watch the small crowds of people moving throughout the exhibit adds another layer of fun.
Learning About Quebec at Musée de la Civilisation
Your white and yellow admission sticker includes more than the current ‘Crowds: Humans in Interaction’ exhibit, it also includes access to several of the museum’s other exhibits.
This is our Story is one of the most important exhibits in Quebec City on First Nations and Inuit people.
“First Nations and Inuit in the 21st century, which offers a reflection on what it means to be an Indigenous person in the 21st century.
In the company of a guide, the public gets to meet Indigenous people, as if they were in their home, and learn not only about their history and their identity, without flourishes or preconceived ideas, but also about their vision of the future through their worries and questions about tomorrow.”
Check out the museum’s website for the exhibit’s schedule. Also at the museum is an exhibit called ‘In Other Words, Quebec’ which delves into Quebec’s history, from its territory and occupation to its battles and modern challenges. It’s really well done, and I recommend taking at least 90 minutes moving through the different stages of the exhibit.
Visit the Museum
Located in Old Port, Musée de la Civilisation can be accessed by either rue Dalhousie or rue Saint-Pierre. Weekends cen be quite busy, especially if you arrive when the museum opens. It is rather spacious though, and there are six or so exhibits to wander through and enjoy, so if one feels too crowded (see what I did there?), check out and different exhibit, then circle back.
On a warm sunny day, take a break in the museum’s outdoor courtyard, or head upstairs to its spacious café, Nollen.
Tickets can be bought on arrival, but they are often $3 cheaper if you buy them online.
