This Island That Lets You Stay In A Lighthouse & Watch Penguins Is 4 Hours From Montreal
A dream come true.
- If you've been trying to plan a road trip from Montreal, we recommend making your way to Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse, where you can observe penguins while staying in a lighthouse.
- This adventure is definitely worth the four-hour drive away from the city!
- Get more details below.
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If you and your gang want to do something out of the ordinary and do a little improvised road trip from Montreal, I've got the perfect idea for you. No, I'm not talking about Île Moukmouk — think again! I'm talking about a small island at the bottom of the river, not too far from civilization, where you can see a colony of penguins while getting an incredible view of the region.
This island I'm referring to is L'Île du Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie, which is located in the Lower St. Lawrence. It has a sublime and majestic lighthouse where you can spend a night (or two) that you are sure to remember.
Abandoned in 1964 after 102 years of service, the lighthouse has been transformed and is now part of the country's federal heritage.
In addition to the overnight stay, the round-trip crossing from Rivière-du-Loup, the cruise, the guided tour, the regional-style dinner, the breakfast and brunch and access to the glass lighthouse tower, you will also have the right to walk on the trails of the Lighthouse Pot after the birds have nested.
If you're into sunsets, you're going to love this location.
The birds are probably the most exciting part, as you'll see lots of cute little penguins! Here's a taste of what you'll get to experience:
The birds begin nesting towards the end of July, and then the trails to visit the island's cliffs are open.
Take a look at your calendar and see when you can take a weekend off this summer — so that you don't miss this magical moment.
If you are totally obsessed with penguins, you'll be happy yo know that not only will you be able to observe them with your own eyes, but a telescope is also available to observe them from afar at all times, morning, noon and night.
Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie Lighthouse
Cost: $255 for one night (double occupancy) during high season
When: High season is from July 1 to August 30. Access to the trails, which gives access to bird watching, opens at the end of July only.
Address: 200, rue Hayward, Rivière-du-Loup, QC.
Why you have to go: To sleep in an ancestral lighthouse while observing a penguin colony. This is truly a beautiful 100% Quebec experience being offered to you.
This article was originally written in French on Narcity Québec.