Discover Quebec Maritime on the Lighthouse Route

One of the only points in our itinerary established well before our trip began. I must say, François and lighthouses have a great love story. And here, he was absolutely delighted! So, after sharing our discoveries in Quebec Maritime's natural side, I will take you along the lighthouse route.

The lighthouse route, an evocative name that invites daydreaming. And my daydreams were quite close to reality: beautiful roads by the sea, bordering a blue horizon, punctuated now and then by a lighthouse, each looking quite different.

The lighthouse circuit is a source of pride in Gaspésie, inviting travelers to discover 14 lighthouses over 800 kilometers and to immerse themselves in the history of maritime heritage. This Gaspésie circuit is part of the Lighthouse Route, which runs through all regions of Quebec Maritime, namely: Bas-Saint-Laurent, Gaspésie, Côte-Nord, and the Magdalen Islands.

We traveled part of this route, visiting 5 lighthouses (4 of which are from the Gaspésie lighthouse circuit) along with others we admired from afar, all very beautiful and quite different. I present them to you in chronological order according to our trip, which began a few weeks earlier in Nova Scotia.

This lighthouse, still active, was visible from afar as our journey in Gaspésie was just beginning. It's located on a sandbank at Tracadigash Point.

The lighthouse at Bonaventure Point overlooks Chaleurs Bay.

We viewed these first two lighthouses from a distance, but the next ones caught our attention much more.

At 34 meters high (or 37 according to some sources!), the Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is the tallest in all of Canada! Perched on its cliff, it watches over the St. Lawrence River and its sailors. Open to the public, this lighthouse is named after the roses that once flourished in the area. It is also in this region that you can observe whales in Tadoussac.

Continuing with records: this lighthouse may not be the tallest, but it is the one that has traveled the most in the world. Yes, this lighthouse does not just guide travelers, it travels itself! In 1977, it was moved from its original location (the current one) to be showcased in the old port of Quebec City. It was brought back twenty years later, following a citizens' movement demanding its return!

Reaching this lighthouse is a bit of a challenge: you must travel a little dirt road that keeps climbing... We were glad to have a good vehicle for this little stretch of the road!

And this is the lighthouse we preferred! Regardless of its penchant for wandering, this lighthouse has a vintage look and a vibrant color. A favorite from the first glance.

Watch out with your navigation system. Some provide incorrect directions. Rely on the road signs: after leaving Route 132, you'll need to drive 4 km on a fairly steep gravel road.

Always operational, this lighthouse is open for visits like a museum.

While we were in the area, we discovered (after our visit!) that nearby is a location recognized for the underground migratory path of Atlantic salmon.

Also still operational, this lighthouse retains its original clockwork system. Its wooden structure gives it a unique character. The building next door offers an exhibition about lighthouses.

A lighthouse from Bas-Saint-Laurent that we greatly appreciated! For the first time in our lives, we climbed to the top of a lighthouse. 128 steps later (with a baby to carry as a bonus!), we were treated to a magnificent view of the bay, but most importantly, we had a much different perspective on the lighthouse's operation and its prisms. Personally, I felt like I was in Disney's (first) movie >... just missing the big green dragon!

Also on the same site are 2 other maritime historic sites to visit. The shipwreck museum > and the Onondaga submarine. It was a day filled with firsts: after the first time at the top of a lighthouse, it was the first time in a submarine! The surreal feeling of being in a film... We enjoyed this visit, especially its non-war-centric aspect, which is often associated with such vessels. The visit to the museum of this large ship sunk a short time after the Titanic is also interesting, and >.

Access: near Rimouski, on the maritime historic site of Pointe-au-Père

Hours: open from early June to early October

Visit: all three locations can be visited in two hours.

Lighthouses, whether you are as passionate as François or not, have something grand yet are from another time. They inspire sea travel, from the shore, on land, from the blue horizon, and throughout the centuries, recalling the roles they played back then and the lives of lighthouse keepers.

And they provide a beautiful way to discover Quebec Maritime, with lighthouses marking the route and ensuring we stay on course along the coast. Each one is different, all are beautiful or impressive in their own way. We had a particular fondness for the Pointe-à-la-Renommée lighthouse... And you, which one is your favorite?

In collaboration with Destination Canada and Quebec Maritime.