Ten guardians of the coast to discover: embark on a lighthouse tour
Majestic sentinels, witnesses to the past, these ten traditional lighthouses still stand on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Still in operation or converted into museums or even accommodation, they can be found along small roads hugging the river.
Visit for an hour or spend the night to breathe in the salty air and listen to the birds singing, the waves crashing, and, with a little luck, the whales blowing. Ready for a dazzling adventure? Then join us on a tour of the lighthouses!
1. A travelling lighthouse: Pointe-à-la-Renommée
The steel tower of the Pointe-à-la-Renommée Lighthouse overlooks a remarkable historic site. Originally built of wood in 1880 in response to numerous shipwrecks on the St. Lawrence River, it was replaced by a steel tower in 1907. The lighthouse was abandoned in 1977 and relocated from the city of Québec before being returned to Gaspésie in 1997 thanks to a citizens’ movement.
Nowadays, Pointe-à-la-Renommée offers a unique and immersive museum experience that includes a century-old lighthouse, North America’s first maritime radio station and a network of hiking trails set between sea and mountains.
Happy birthday, lighthouses!
July 13 is Québec’s National Lighthouse Day (French only). This special day celebrates the lighthouses of the St. Lawrence River through various activities. The aim is simple: to promote these wonderful structures scattered along the coast and to remind the public that restoration and renovation projects are helping to preserve these magnificent towers for future generations to enjoy. It’s a great opportunity to highlight the importance of lighthouse preservation.
3. Whales in sight: Cap-de-Bon-Désir
The Cap-de-Bon-Désir Lighthouse, a relatively new structure built in 1958, was crucial to maritime safety due to its light that could be seen from far away. Today, the site is home to an interpretation centre for the Parc marin du Saguenay–Saint-Laurent and offers an exceptional view of the area. It’s a great place for picnics and to watch whales, seals and birds that come close to shore. Interpretive guides will help you identify species and teach you about them.
4. A veritable open-air museum: Pointe-au-Père
Built in 1909, the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse is the third lighthouse erected on this site. Its distinctive octagonal reinforced concrete structure and flying buttresses were innovative for their time. This national historic site immerses visitors in maritime history and boasts breathtaking views from a height of 33 metres.
What’s more, at the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père, you can board the Onondaga submarine, a 90-metre behemoth, to discover the fascinating and (above all!) little-known story of its 70 crewmen through the tale of the sinking of the Empress of Ireland. It’s like a treasure hunt, but with stories of sailors and storms!
5. A criminal past: Îles du Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie
Built in 1861, this structure includes a lighthouse and living quarters, making it one of a kind in Québec. Located on one of the Pot à l’Eau-de-Vie islands, this lighthouse is perfect for those seeking both tranquility and adventure. Its isolated location made it a hotspot during the prohibition era in the 1920s.
This small archipelago was once a hub for alcohol smuggling! Crates of alcoholic beverages from Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon were hidden there by sailors, then loaded onto boats at night, leading to seizures by the police. The lighthouse keepers apparently witnessed this illegal activity, but were unable to stop it. But don’t worry! Nowadays, you can get there legally while enjoying a pleasant cruise on the river , and even stay overnight.
6. Stories of shipwrecks: Pointe-des-Monts
The lighthouse, built in 1830, stands on a rocky islet, often surrounded by water at high tide, and has been classified as a historic monument since 1965. A true testament to a cultural landscape in harmony with nature, the site offers a multimedia exhibition on its history, the daily lives of the lighthouse keepers, shipwrecks and life in Pointe-des-Monts. Want to play lighthouse keeper? Why not spend a night in this magnificent building with its distinctive red stripes?
7. The biggest of them all: Cap-des-Rosiers
Perched atop a steep cliff, this 37-metre lighthouse is the tallest in Canada. It’s also one of the oldest, having been built in 1858 after this part of the Gulf of St. Lawrence experienced a series of shipwrecks. Now a historic monument, the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is considered the gateway to Parc national Forillon. It’s also a great spot for whale watching… provided you’re not afraid of climbing the long spiral staircase.
8. View of the Chic-Chocs: Matane
The Matane Lighthouse is the ultimate vantage point. Not only does it provide a magnificent view of the sea and maritime traffic, but it also lets you admire the town of Matane, the wind farm and the Chic-Choc Mountains. Built in 1907 to replace an earlier wooden lighthouse erected in 1873, this 20-metre cylindrical reinforced concrete tower has since been converted into a tourist information centre with exhibits featuring photographs and artifacts relating to the region’s maritime history.
9. The patriarch: Île Verte
Head to Île Verte to visit the oldest lighthouse on the St. Lawrence River! Built in 1809, it has seen generations of sailors and fishermen come and go. Today, it’s a tourist attraction with an exhibition and guided tour on maritime heritage, the evolution of sound and light signals, shipwrecks, groundings and its own history. You can also stay at one of the two houses on the site: the keeper’s house or the assistant keeper’s house. Take a trip back in time and discover a whole new world!
10. Recently decommissioned: L’Anse-à-la-Cabane
Built between 1870 and 1871, the tallest and second-oldest lighthouse in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine was in operation until 2011. A rare example of octagonal design from this period (a style that was later abandoned in favour of more economical models), the lighthouse is part of the Parc patrimonial William-Cormier, which chronicles the maritime life that once revolved around the islands’ seven lighthouses.
Fun fact: One of the lighthouse keepers was rather ingenious (or lazy, depending on who you ask). Edmond Boudreau had his brother, who was an electrician, run a wire from the lighthouse to the keeper’s house so he could turn the light on and off from his bedroom!