Anne-Charlotte PasseraAs you travel along the coastline of Quebec you’ll discover lighthouses scattered along the way. These sentinels of the sea can mainly found in Gaspésie and on the Côte Nord.
Therefore, you don’t have to go to the Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia on the Atlantic’s shores to see a lighthouse. Of course, the landscape will not be the same, but you’ll still have the sea air whipping you in the face.
Although the Quebec Lighthouses Route starts in Rivière-du-Loup, you can admire some around Montreal for a little taste. Admittedly, they are not very impressive. However, they still announce with elegance the gentle part of the St. Lawrence River.
Luckily, Quebec’s lighthouses have found a second life. Some have been transformed into museums or into accommodations.
Although their history was brief, unlike their counterparts on the old continent, they have a certain cachet that blends well with the landscape that surrounds them.
So, before heading to Gaspésie to admire its lighthouses, discover those accessible during a sunny day at the gates of Montreal.
A brief history of lighthouses
Long gone are the days when wooden fires burned in the open air to help sailors and merchants navigate from port to port on sometimes capricious waters.
In ancient times, towers were built with wooden lights placed high up for better visibility. Then came the Middle Ages where the towers became a little more complex and the wood fire was eventually replaced by oil.
In 1850, in France, the towers are of circular shape, reducing the wind load for the highest, or of square shape for the low lighthouses.
wikipedia
In 1858, the English tried something new by replacing the oil by electricity. A successful experimental test.
Although more efficient, the cost of an electric lighthouse was more expensive. These lighthouses required larger installations. As a result, other countries did not rush to modernize their lighthouses.
In 1885, there were only about twenty electric lighthouses in the world. The United States, usually ahead of everyone else, waited until 1898 to light its first electric lighthouse. Moreover, the mass modernization of lighthouses did not take place until the end of the 1920s.
There are only 1500 maritime lighthouses still in service in the world. Wikipedia
The oldest lighthouse in the world
The oldest lighthouse in the world and still active is located in Spain, at the entrance of the port of Coruña.
The Romans built this lighthouse at the end of the 1st century AD. It made the UNESCO heritage list in 2009.
This lighthouse is known as the Tower of Hercules. As its name indicates, the legend says that Hercules buried the head of the giant Geryon in this place.
A lighthouse like no other
During our trip to Morocco, we had the chance to visit (from the outside) the lighthouse of Cape Spartel. It’s located at the most northwestern point of continental Africa. This lighthouse was built in 1861 and put into service in 1864 at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar. It’s at this point that you can observe the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
Although the architect of the lighthouse was French, he gave the lighthouse of Cape Spartel a Moorish silhouette. Thus, this lighthouse with the appearance of a square minaret dominates from a height of more than 30 meters the Tangier coast surrounded by an exotic garden.
Sitting on the rocks with green palm trees in the background and the ocean glistening in front, Cape Spartel will not leave you indifferent. The views are truly magnificent.
The smallest lighthouse in the world
The smallest lighthouse in the world is located on the Canary Islands and is called Faro de Jandia . It’s tower is 19 meters high. Built in 1864, it is one of the oldest lighthouses in the islands that is still in operation.
So, what about the lighthouses of Quebec?
History of the Lighthouses of Quebec
There are more than 40 lighthouses dotting the coasts of Quebec, 18 of which offer tourist attractions according to Québec Maritime. However, according to Wikipedia, 80 lighthouses are still in operation in Quebec.
Built to signal the land to sailors, lighthouses now have another virtue, announcing the sea to earthlings.
Vincent Guigueno (my translation)
The history of the lighthouses in Quebec began when trade between the colonies of Canada and England expanded after the conquest. The fires lit along the coast were no longer sufficient. Many shipwrecks occurred.
In order to ensure naval safety, a lighthouse was finally built between 1806 and 1809. It’s located on the Ile verte on the Saint-Lawrence River.
This lighthouse marked an important step in the expansion of navigation and commerce in Quebec. It served as a prototype for other lighthouses along the St. Lawrence River. In the following decades, more than sixty lighthouses were built along Quebec’s coastline.
Many of these buildings disappeared in the second half of the 20th century following the automation of lighthouses. Some lighthouses were abandoned, others were destroyed.
Nowadays, some lighthouses have regained their former splendor and 5 of them are even classified as historical monuments.
Every summer, when it’s more convenient to visit, these lighthouses converted into museums or inns welcome visitors. Thus, we can learn more about the maritime history of Quebec and take advantage of isolated landscapes to take the time to breathe the sea air that tickles our nostrils.
Lighthouses to visit in Quebec
I can’t give you an adequate list of lighthouses to visit in Quebec. We’ve not yet gone to discover these mythical towers that once illuminated navigators/explorers to avoid a potential shipwreck. However, we have seen a few of them and after a little research, I can suggest you some others to visit during a road trip to Gaspésie.
By the way, if you’re looking for ideas on which stops to make in Gaspésie with children, read about our adventure HERE.
(…) Their second life gives visitors an opportunity to approach history and architecture in a different way.
QUÉBEC MARITIME
Lighthouses around Montreal
Admittedly, the few lighthouses that are close to Montreal are a bit blah compared to the ones on the Gaspé Peninsula. The visual and olfactory impression will definitely not be the same. That said, if you have children or are looking for a little outing that is out of the ordinary, these “little” lighthouses will enhance a beautiful summer day or why not winter.
St. Helen’s Island
The closest lighthouse to Montreal is located on Ile Sainte-Hélène. To enjoy the view, take the river shuttle from the Old Port of Montreal.
This lighthouse is located along Chemin de la Tour de l’Isle, not far from the Stewart Museum (a former fort) which closed in 2021.
Not much is written about this very ordinary, all-white, stone lighthouse. Apparently, it was built at the beginning of the 20th century.
Of course, don’t go there just to see it, but if you are in the area, why not make a stop?
Lachine
Located southwest of Montreal, you’ll see not one, but two lighthouses in Lachine in St. Louis Park. The one near the water, smaller than its twin, was built of cast iron in 1900 in a circular shape and rests on a concrete base. It was a rarity in Quebec at the time.
The Lachine lighthouse has a historical importance because of its geographical location near maritime transport corridors that once attracted large industries.
To make your visit a little more exciting, take the Batobus that links Saint-Louis Park to René-Lévesque Park. It’s an open-air shuttle service that allows you to admire the riverbanks and have the impression of taking a mini cruise at the same time.
At René-Lévesque Park you can admire 22 works of art from the Musée plein air de Lachine, one of the largest outdoor sculpture museums in Canada (Montréal.Ca)
Cost: $2, free for children under 5 years old.
Boarding: at the corner of 34th Avenue and Saint-Joseph Boulevard. Departures from May to October.
Pointe-des-Cascades
The Pointe-des-Cascades lighthouse located on the banks of the Soulanges Canal and built in 1904 is not really a lighthouse according to François Leroux, a history enthusiast. This “building” is more of an alignment light that was used to guide boats entering the canal.
According to Mr. Leroux, between 1940 and 1950, approximately 5000 ships sailed on the Soulanges Canal each year.
You can admire this “lighthouse” in the Saint-Pierre park, less than an hour away from Montreal. In addition, not far from there you’ll find :
- The Parc des Ancres and an open air museum along the lock #3 of the Soulanges Canal. There are more than 100 anchors dotted along the Central Street.
- The Parc Nature de Pointe-des-Cascades and the remains of military canals as well as another “lighthouse”.
- A campground: Le Village des Écluses which includes a summer theater. It’s located on Lake St-Louis at the mouth of the Soulanges Canal. Discover this campground HERE.
Different lodgings are available. Camping costs $38 a night. Dogs are welcomed!
Trois-Rivières
The Lighthouse Le Pilier de Pierre in Trois-Rivières is really tiny, at least that was my impression from afar.
It was built in 1843 with stones cut in Scotland. It seems to me that stones were not what was missing in Quebec at the time, but maybe the lack of manpower would explain that.
This lighthouse is now used as a ticket booth for boat trips on the Saint-Lawrence River.
However, the historic center of Trois-Rivières is quite bucolic and worth a visit.
Discover our good deals in Trois-Rivières HERE.
Lighthouses of Quebec – On the road to Gaspésie
Let’s get down to business. If you’re in for a grand tour of the Gaspé Peninsula, you can’t help but visit one of the following lighthouses.
Rimouski
The Pointe-au-Père lighthouse is located at the gateway to the Gaspé Peninsula. The city of Rimouski is an obligatory stop during a road trip to Gaspésie, if only to stretch your legs and if you have children.
This lighthouse is the second highest in Canada. In its museum, you’ll discover (video and photos) the wreck of the Empress of Ireland. In 1914, this ship did not hit an iceberg like the Titanic two years earlier, but a coal tanker, killing 1012 people.
The access to the top of the lighthouse is good, but it’s a bit tight. Normal you’ll say, yes, but not when you’re not used to it.
Interestingly, right next to the lighthouse is the only submarine in Canada accessible to visitors. Moreover, if you wish, you can even spend the night there.
More information HERE.
Cap-des-Rosiers
This lighthouse located in Gaspé, 37 meters high, is the highest in Canada. It was built according to the imperial tower model between 1853 and 1858. This lighthouse is still in operation.
In 1974, it was classified as a historical monument.
The exterior was replaced by white bricks in 1954 and finally rebuilt in white marble in 1984.
The name of the site was given by Samuel de Champlain because of the abundance of wild roses and the meeting point between the Saint-Lawrence River and the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Apparently (according to Afar.com), this is the place that has seen the most shipwrecks in Gaspésie.
Practical information:
- To get there, just follow Route 132.
- You can visit the lighthouse from June 24 to September from 8 am to 6 pm.
- A guided tour is available on site. It’s free for children under 6 years old and 10$ per adult.
La Martre
A well-preserved red lighthouse, nicknamed the “Cadillac of lighthouses”.
Located in the heart of the village that bears its name, the keepers of the Martre Lighthouse have not had to face the loneliness that usually comes with the job. This has even engendered a little jealousy on the part of the parish priests who succeeded one another at the village church.
Imagine a gardian at the head of a building as high as its bell tower…
Yves Foucreault for Quebec Panorama
The La Martre Lighthouse was recognized as a federal heritage building in 1988. It is located north of the Gaspé Peninsula.
The original lighthouse was built in 1876. However, i but was replaced in 1906 by an octagonal wooden structure with sloping sides 19.2 meters high. Its rotating light module is operated by the original cable and weight clock system.
Access: Open from mid-June to mid-September from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Cost: $8/adult, $4/child
A guided tour is available. Every three hours, you’ll see the guide reassemble the mechanism as it was in the past before the lighthouse was automated.
You can also visit the Lighthouse Museum installed in the old keeper’s house. (Entrance fee: $4)
Unusual visits and accommodations in Quebec lighthouses
If you live in Montreal, you’ll have to get up at the crack of dawn if you want to stay in a lighthouse in Quebec. Plan on a minimum of 4 hours for a one-way drive to stay in an unusual accommodation. It’s expensive for a weekend!
It would therefore be more reasonable to stay there during a long weekend, a road trip (without children) to Gaspésie or during a long stay in Quebec City. Thus, this unusual experience will be more profitable.
Moreover, you’ll not really sleep in the lighthouse, but next to it, generally in the keeper’s house converted into a lodge.
Rivière-du-Loup
Located near Rivière-du-Loup, on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River is the picturesque lighthouse of Ile-du-Pot-à-l’Eau-de-Vie.
The lighthouse was built between 1861 and 1862. In 1998, it was classified as a federal heritage building. Its 30 foot high circular tower rises from the keeper’s house making it one.
This lighthouse is the last lighthouse house still standing on an island in the St. Lawrence River.
PARKS CANADA
You can visit it during a boat trip for a cost of $70/adult and $35/child. Duration of the visit 3 hours.
Practical information :
- The lighthouse is located a little over a 4 hour drive from Montreal.
- Children under the age of 10 are not allowed in the lodging.
- Cost: 320$/night/person in double occupancy.
The price includes the crossing to get there, an excursion and cruise, dinner and breakfast, access to the trails and the lighthouse.
- Reservation by phone only from April 4, 2022 for a stay between June 3 and September 25, 2022.
More information HERE.
L’Ile Verte
The Ile Verte Lighthouse was built between 1806 and 1809 and was the first to be built on the Saint-Lawrence River. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1974.
The lighthouse is located on an island that can be visited by following a tourist circuit including:
- The Michaud School
Formerly and old school, it has been transformed into an interpretation center on island life.
- A skeleton museum
Unique to say the least, this museum will answer all your questions about osteology.
- The Lighthouse Site
Access the lighthouse and learn more about its history and its keepers.
You can also bike and hike along the shoreline to admire the wild flora and fauna on land and sea.
Unfortunately, if you want to sleep at the lighthouse, the rental is by the week (between $2300 and $2500). However, short stays of three nights are available before June 20th for $1300.
Practical information:
- The island is about a 4h30 drive from Montreal.
- The lighthouse and its related parts can be visited from late June to late August.
- Book your spot on the ferry from April 11, 2022. You can even bring your car. Check out the rates HERE.
- A gourmet counter has been set up on site since the summer of 2020. It’s convenient if you forgot your picnic. There is no convenience store or gas station on site.
- Bicycles can be rented on site.
- Bring cash.
More information HERE.
Cap-Chat
The Cap-Chat lighthouse is the farthest from Montreal where you can stay. It will take you more than 7 hours to get there in one go.
This lighthouse is located on a cliff at the foot of the cape and was built in 1909. From there you can hike and access lookouts offering views of the St. Lawrence River.
A Micmac legend tells that a wild cat walking on the shore killed and devoured animals. The cat-fairy, passing by, accused him of having devoured his offspring and transformed him into a rock for eternity.
CAP-CHAT.CA
The site is free to visit.
Various accommodations are available on site. If you wish to sleep in the very spacious keeper’s house it will cost you $300/night, but there is a minimum of 3 nights to stay there. You are allowed to bring your dog for an extra $10.
More information HERE.
You now know everything about the history of the lighthouses and those of Quebec. Are there any in this illustrious list that piqued your curiosity? Let me know in the comments box below.
