Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site

Visit Canada’s only submarine open to the public at the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site. Board the Onondaga submarine and find out about the daily lives of the 60 men who lived for months at a time in this 90-m (300-ft.) submarine. Examine the complex mechanics of the submarine and the technology used for underwater detection. The 45-minute audio-guide commentary simulates going out to sea off Rimouski and will plunge you into this fascinating and little-known world. In addition, you can spend a night aboard the Onondaga. You will be welcomed by the coxswain and will play the role of an apprentice submariner for the duration of a fun-filled night!

The Empress of Ireland Museum presents the history of the Empress of Ireland passenger ship, from its construction in 1906 to its tragic sinking on May 29, 1914, which killed 1012 people. Visit the historic site and learn all there is to know about this magnificent ship. Discover a large collection of objects from the wreck, period photos, interactive terminals and eyewitness accounts.

The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse played a central role in the history of navigation on the St. Lawrence River. Built in 1909, this lighthouse is one of the tallest in Canada and one of the few to still have its prism. A guided tour will take you to the top, where you can admire the fabulous view.

The lighthouse keeper’s house is home to several exhibits that explain the role of Pointe-au-Père in Canadian maritime history. On the second floor, learn about the many divers who have explored the wreck since 1914.

The foghorn shed presents the evolution of aural aids to navigation, which replaced the light from the lighthouse when weather conditions made it impossible for mariners to see.

Activities for children are offered in the workshop, including a simulation of a dive into the wreck and a treasure hunt. In addition, participants can sit in the life-size replica of the submarine used by Tintin in Red Rackham’s Treasure. Offered in the afternoon from mid-June to mid-August.

Opening dates

From mid-June to mid-October

Schedule

9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Off-season: upon reservation for groups

Cost

Available in early June

Note for this reservation

Recommended for groups and off-season

Payment methods

• Cash
• Cheque
• Interac
• MasterCard
• Visa
• Travelers Cheque

Activities available in summer

Interpretation Sites

Visit Canada’s only submarine open to the public! Board the Onondaga and discover the lives of the men who lived for months in this 90-m (300-ft.) submarine. The audio-guide commentary will plunge you into a fascinating and little-known world.

Lighthouses

The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse was built in 1909, the third to have been built on this site. A guided tour will take you to the top of the lighthouse, one of the tallest in Canada, where you can admire the prism and take in the fabulous view.

Maritime Heritage

Pointe-au-Père has contributed significantly to Canadian maritime history: a pilot station, four lighthouses, a Marconi telegraph office and a quarantine office were all built on this site. It also received the SOS from the Empress of Ireland.

Museums

The sinking of the Empress of Ireland killed 1012 people. Discover a large collection of objects, photos and eyewitness accounts. Visit the lighthouse and the lighthouse keeper’s house to understand the role of the pilot station in this event.

Scuba Diving

As one of the main themes of the Pointe-au-Père Maritime Historic Site is the history of the Empress of Ireland, this site is a favourite with scuba divers. Access to the river is available for Zodiacs near the museum.

See what this partner is offering in fall or in spring.

Services

• Childrens playground
• Picnic area
• No pets allowed
• Bar
• Boutique
• Restaurant or snack bar
• Conference/meeting room
• Free parking

How to get there

Via Highway 20, exit 621, or Route 132, take Rue Père-Nouvel towards the St. Lawrence.

Affiliations and distinctions

Affiliations
SMQ (association of Québec museums)
Canadian Museums Association
Parks Canada partner
Corporation des gestionnaires de phares de l'estuaire et du golfe du Saint-Laurent
Tourisme Rimouski
Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent
SATQ (Québec association of tourist attractions)

Distinctions
National winner of a Québec Tourism Award (Grand Prix du tourisme québécois)  (2001, 2004, 2010)