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Tourism Information Kiosk

Black and white photograph of the Matane lighthouse, transformed into a tourist information office. Perron Boulevard occupies the foreground of the photograph. The lighthouse and the keeper’s house are located on the right side of the image. On the lighthouse is written: Bienvenue dans la Gaspésie. A poster on the lighthouse mentions: Berceau de la Nouvelle-France. A huge map of Gaspésie is displayed near the lighthouse.

Photograph

Matane Lighthouse, about 1960

Unknown

Société d’histoire et de généalogie de Matane

 

Tourist information bureaus were created in many cities and towns to disseminate information to travellers. Almost every town seemed to have a tourist information counter. Today, they are spread around the Gaspésie and uphold standards of service set by the Québec government.

Lighthouses have always been iconic stops for tourists. But when in operation, they were usually off limits to visitors. Lighthouse keepers had work to do to keep the light turning and provide an essential service to ships and their captains.

When the Matane lighthouse closed in 1950, it seemed like the best place to welcome tourists. It was an attraction unto itself and at the entrance to a city better known for its industrial plants and ferry terminal than for its tourism. Which lighthouse in Canada is the most photographed? Matane is probably at or near the top of the list.