Cap-au-Saumon Lighthouse, lighthouse in Quebec, Canada
The Phare de Cap au Saumon is a lighthouse facility in La Malbaie, Quebec, Canada, perched on a rocky point overlooking the Saint Lawrence River. The site features an octagonal concrete tower standing about 14 meters tall with red and white trim, alongside two keeper's houses, a storage shed, a foghorn shelter, and connecting wooden walkways.
The original wooden lighthouse was built in 1894 to guide ships through a poorly marked section of river. In 1955, the wooden tower was replaced with the current concrete structure as part of a wider effort to modernize navigation aids along the Saint Lawrence River.
The name comes from the salmon-rich waters that have long drawn fishermen to this area. The site's buildings and wooden pathways reflect how lighthouse keepers and their families lived and worked on this remote point.
The site is accessible only by boat, plane, or a roughly 5 kilometer walk from the inland area, so planning ahead is essential. The rough and steep terrain with rocky shoreline means sturdy footwear is needed, and visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions.
The site was designated as a heritage property in 2014 and received building protection status in 2015, even though it is not open to public visits. These preservation measures help protect this remote location for future generations, despite few people ever being able to set foot there.
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