Prince Shoal Light, Federal heritage lighthouse in Tadoussac, Canada
Prince Shoal Light is a 14-meter steel lighthouse standing in the St. Lawrence River near Tadoussac, Quebec, and recognized as a federal heritage building of Canada. The tower has a distinctive hourglass shape and is topped with a helicopter landing platform, which sets it apart from conventional lighthouse designs.
A navigation aid was first placed on this shoal following a series of shipwrecks in the 19th century, including the grounding of HMS Hero in 1860. The original structure was eventually replaced by the current steel tower, which was later automated and no longer requires on-site keepers.
The Prince Shoal Light stands at the meeting point of the Saguenay River and the St. Lawrence, a stretch of water that sailors have always found tricky to read. Boat tours from Tadoussac frequently pass close to it, making it a familiar landmark for anyone who spends time on the water here.
The tower sits in open water and cannot be reached on foot, but it is clearly visible from the shores of the St. Lawrence near Tadoussac. A boat tour is the best way to get a closer look, and several local options pass near it.
In December 1966, three keepers were trapped inside the tower for weeks during a severe storm, while flooding damaged parts of the structure. Radio broadcasts at the time alternated between Christmas songs and emergency reports, which gave the event an oddly memorable quality.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
