La Martre Lighthouse, Heritage lighthouse in La Martre, Quebec, Canada
La Martre Lighthouse is a red wooden octagonal tower with a prominent white vertical stripe, rising about 63 feet above the coastal landscape and facing the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Inside, visitors can see the original Fresnel lens and the mechanical equipment that powered the light source for guiding ships.
The structure was built in 1906 to replace an earlier lighthouse from 1876 that had stood at this location. It served for over a century to guide ships through the coastal waters of the Gaspé Peninsula.
The lighthouse is where visitors can see how the local community has kept its connection to the sea and maritime traditions alive. Walking through the site gives a real sense of what shipping navigation meant to people in this part of Quebec.
The site can be reached on foot and offers viewing points where you can see the tower and the sea horizon clearly. It helps to follow local signage and allow time to explore the grounds at a relaxed pace.
The system uses five petroleum vapor lamps inside the lantern room to produce four white flashes every 30 seconds, warning ships of the rocky coast below. This aging technology still operates, showing how well the original design has held up over time.
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