The Tallest Lighthouse in Canada at Cap-des-Rosiers in Gaspesie

A little history

The Gaspesie region is home to amazing historical sites including the lighthouse at Cap-des-Rosiers. Described as the tallest lighthouse in Canada standing at 34 meters tall, it was built sometime between the years of 1853 and 1858. The lighthouse acts as a guide for ships travelling through the waters and continues to be in operation even today. This tall structure marks the entrance to the St-Lawrence River and is an iconic figure along the coast of the river.

The Experience

The lighthouse is a tall, imposing figure and I was amazed at how close it is getting to the edge of the coast as the land erodes and recedes each year. The ongoing erosion and age of the building has made maintaining this historical site an ongoing project. When visiting the lighthouse, there are amazing views of the Gaspe peninsula and the rugged shoreline that makes up Forillon National Park. In the distance you can see the what is known as the ‘end of world’ where the peninsula juts out into the ocean. I think it is definitely a worthy stop along a road trip discovering the national park. There are also tables set out on the grounds to make the visit a picnic lunch!

Visitor Information

You can enter the site for 3$ and for an additional 7$ you can have a guided visit (family and child rates available). The tours are every 30 minutes and can get booked quickly in the summer months. They also host a few free shows featuring local musicians during the summer that you can attend.

For more information check out their website here.