The Lighthouses of Gaspé.

Last Summer I visited Lighthouses,

 around the Gaspe Coast, with family.

I live near the Baie des Chaleur
and grew up near a Lighthouse.
Our beacon in the night, 
also symbolizing safety and security,
and for many years guided ships,
and boats in the Bay.

Follow along as we drive
 Route 132 around the Gaspe Peninsula,
on The Lighthouse Trail, seeking out
 and visiting 14 Lighthouses and
discovering beautiful sites overlooking the sea.
These lighthouses were once only accessible 
to the lightkeepers and their families. 
They are now open to tourists and
a lighthouse map is available at any
tourist centre. 


Here is a map of the Gaspé Pensinula 
in Eastern Quebec, Canada 
and the route we took in red.
(I'm new to "Markup, especially on a map)

I'll start with this lighthouse,
Fauvel Lighthouse,
in it's original location. 
It was moved in the 1990's to 
Bonaventure, a town nearby
This beach below,  is near where I live.

Fauvel Lighthouse on
 Rte. 132 in Fauvel,
An old Photo

At it's new location. Bonaventure near the wharf.
A picturesque area, a camping ground,

and Beaubassin Beach.

Once a navigational aid for nearly 100 years,
The light is no longer active.

This lighthouse has a new purpose, 

to remind us of our past.

Also enjoyment for tourist, especially children. 
What child doesn't like to climb lighthouses.

The door is open in the Summer month,
for Tourist to visit.

My sister Annie climbing the lighthouse

A nice view from the top. (Hi Annie)

Built by Jean Vautier

from Jersey Island.
In the early 1900s.

The dock.

Below is the Bonaventure River that flows
 into the Bay des Chaleur.

The lighthouse light is no longer active.
It is replaced by the mechanical
 apparatus on the dock, behind it.

Grandkids enjoying the beach.
About 1hr. walk up the beach from home.

 ~ New Carlisle Lighthouse ~

The next lighthouse is in New Carlisle.
On private property of Fair Haven Bible Camp.
A wooden structure without a light.

New Carlisle has

A nice beach to walk on at low tide.

As you can see erosion is shrinking the land.

  ~ Cap d'Espoir Lighthouse ~

The next Lighthouse on our journey
is at Cap d'Espoir, Percé.
between Chandler and Percé.
About a km. off the highway.

The light is still active and it

belongs to the Canadian Coast Guard. 

 The doors.

Behind ...

A peek in the back window.

In disrepair

The first lighthouse on 

this site was built in 1873.

It's been replaced by this one in 1939.

The two Keepers buildings adjacent are 

privately owned. One is a tourist rental.

Photo above from Pinterest

 ~ Cap Gaspé Lighthouse ~

Accessible only by hiking, cycling, etc. 
to Land's End, the Eastern end 
of the Appalachian Mountains.
A hike in Forillon National Park.
  of 12km. return, to reach 
 Cap Gaspé lighthouse.

We spend 2 nights in Gaspé,
before the hike,
at Bakers Hotel, visiting *Perce Rock 
and surroundings.

"The Lighthouse Seekers"
My sister Annie, Grandson Mathieu,
 Grandaughter Sabrina,
My daughter Suzanne and
son-in-law Martin,
and Cutedog Pinot.
I took the pic.
The Baker hotel accommodates pets.

A few pics around Gaspé.

Continuing on our Lighthouse Tour.....

Our next Lighthouse was a challenge.

We had to hike 8km to Cap Gaspe.

We started our hike early in the morning, 
to the Cap Gaspé lighthouse.

A beautiful coastal hike.

Hiking in Forillon Park, Gaspé.

Our first view of the 

lighthouse through the trees.

After the long hike, 

this was a sight to behold.

The lighthouse under cloudy skies.

The light is solar powered, fully automated.

At the top there is a trail 

down to the bottom of a cliff,
reaching Land's End.

My daughter Suzanne

We brought our lunch and

 ate before heading down. 
we took the forest trail down,
 more scenic,  and closer to the sea.

 ~ Cap des Rosiers Lighthouse ~

The next day we continue on to
The tallest lighthouse in Canada,
at Cap des Rosiers.
A National Historic Site,
 on the tip of the  Gaspé Peninsula, 
at the mouth of the St. Lawrence.

Dating back to 1854.
Cap Des Rosier, named because of the
 abundance of roses in the area, 
by Samuel de Champlain.
(Cap, translated in english,  cape or cliff 
and Rosier, roses.)
.

The walls of the lighthouse, 

at the bottom are 7 ft. thick,
tapering to three feet at the top.
112 ft. limestone tower faced with firebrick.
The foundation is extending 

eight feet beneath the surface.
This area is known for having the
 most shipwrecks along the coast

The light is active and 

managed by Cap-des-Rosiers
Historial Site and Oceans

 and Fisheries Canada.

Carol and Peter

During tourist season 

the lighthouse is open,
for a fee with a guided

 tour to the top.
My son-in-law Martin and grandson
Mathieu climbed to the tower.

On the road again...

Click  here  for Part 2.

Thanks for your visit xo.