Château Dufresne — Attraction in Montreal

I was really excited to finally visit this building, but the experience was completely soured by the gallery attendant belittling our group. I've been researching stained glass around Montreal for a couple years now. From images I saw prior to the visit the window work looked absolutely incredible, their making attesting to the influence of the arts & craft movement in the development of stained glass around the city. Tldr: i was an excited and happy nerd on my way to one of my happy places. However, the person who greeted us at the cash seemed especially ticked off by the fact that everyone in our party was dressed like their (usual) fabulous selves and that one of us was carrying an old camera. She admonished us in a very condescending way that photoshoots were prohibited, which was absolutely ok because we were here to see the building, and enjoy the details of its construction. But she subsequently warned us that she would be following us, which was really weird, and follow us she did. I care about conservation and don't mind being reminded of the rules in a museum, but I honestly felt like she took pleasure in watching our every move and telling us off at every single possible occasion. We all felt pretty antagonized and uncomfortable and shortened our visit because it was impossible to enjoy.

Une expérience vraiment décevante et désagréable, pour un prix élevé. Je ne...

We visited on Sunday September 4th. First Sunday of the month is a free entrance fee day for residents of Quebec. As residents of Ontario we paid full price for 4 people. It was a cold-ish morning, 9:30AM opening time. We were the only ones there. Once we paid full price, the girl at the front desk said that she cannot give us audioguides because they do not give audio guides on free Sundays. Mind you, this was not free for us. There was absolutely no information in most of the rooms (just a bit at the very beginning and very end). I asked twice for audioguides. We were the only people there for quite some time (later another 2 people joined and towards the end of our visit maybe 4 more). The front desk girl refused saying they expect quite a few people an audioguides are not permitted on free Sundays. To me this is screaming bureaucracy. I mean, there are rules and there is common sense. No people around - help us with some information in some way. This is a museum! I felt like I was in some tax office. The girl at the front desk refused to give any direct information to contact manager about this. I sent email twice to this place just to share the...

The worst experience of my existance. I had a guest from out of town who loves European-style architecture and castles, so I said why not, let’s go visit. We are 2 girls who are well dressed. Natually, as she is a tourist, I was taking pictures (no flash) of her in the castle. The staff started following us around and asking us to stop or else they will kick us out. We were never told this upon purchasing the ticket. God I have been all over the world and never have I seen this kind of behavior. They were saying that it is THEIR castle and they make the rules. I asked them to show me this « rule » on paper but naturally, they had no evidence. That castle is not theirs, not even in their dreams lol. Do not waste your time, do not go. Such a shame because it is a beautiful property. I love how we can take pictures but not of ourselves in the frame. These people are deranged. Good luck to anyone...