Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse facts for kids

The Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse (which is Phare de Cap-des-Rosiers in French) is a very tall lighthouse. You can find it near the village of Cap-des-Rosiers [fr] in Gaspé, Quebec, Canada.

This lighthouse is super important! It was named a National Historic Site of Canada on June 11, 1973. Later, on March 31, 1994, it was also listed as a Federal Heritage Building.

The Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in all of Canada. It stands 34.1 metres (112 ft) high! It's built on a steep cliff on the south side of the Saint Lawrence River. This spot is right where the river meets the big Gulf of St. Lawrence. If you visit in the summer, you can even take a tour inside!

Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse Historic Plaque

Why This Lighthouse Is Special

The Cap-des-Rosiers Lighthouse was built in 1858. It was part of a group of tall lighthouses built by the government. These lighthouses helped ships find their way safely. They guided boats coming into the Saint Lawrence River from the Gulf.

Building the Tallest Lighthouse

This lighthouse is 34.1 metres (112 ft) tall, making it the highest in Canada. Its strong stone tower is covered with white marble. At the bottom, the walls are over seven feet thick! They get thinner towards the top, becoming three feet thick. The foundations go eight feet deep into the ground.

When it was first built, there was a house attached to the tower. This was for the lighthouse keeper and their family. The powerful light was 136 feet above the water. It was a major guide for ships.

Honoring Its History

In 1977, a special plaque was placed at the lighthouse. The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada put it there. This plaque tells visitors about the lighthouse's important history. It reminds everyone how vital it was for shipping.

Life at the Lighthouse

For many years, people called "keepers" lived and worked at the lighthouse. Their job was to make sure the light was always shining. They kept it working day and night to guide ships safely. In 1981, the lighthouse became automated. This means machines took over the job, and keepers were no longer needed.

Weather Around the Lighthouse

The area around Cap-des-Rosiers has a type of weather called a humid continental climate. This means it has warm summers and cold, snowy winters.

Temperatures and Rain

The average temperature for the whole year is about 3.6 °C (38.5 °F). In July, which is usually the warmest month, the average temperature is around 16.2 °C (61.2 °F). January is the coldest month, with temperatures averaging about −9.8 °C (14.4 °F).

The highest temperature ever recorded here was 33.0 °C (91.4 °F) on August 9, 2005. The coldest was −32.0 °C (−25.6 °F) on February 17, 2008. The area gets about 1,195.1 mm (47.05 in) of rain and snow each year. October is usually the wettest month.

See also

• List of lighthouses in Canada

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