The Empress of Ireland Museum: Discover Canada’s worst maritime disaster
- Empress of Ireland: The Story Continues exhibition: Relive the fascinating destiny of this ocean liner in reverse chronological order, from dives to the shipwreck to the ship’s tragic sinking in 14 minutes on May 29, 1914, to its construction in 1906. Discover over 200 artefacts from the wreck, period photos and videos, accounts by passengers and their descendants as well as ship models.
- The Last Journey multimedia show: Experience the last voyage of the Empress of Ireland during this amazing multimedia show!
The Onondaga submarine: Enjoy a unique experience in Canada!
- Audio tours (available in English, French and Spanish): Board the Onondaga and discover what daily life was like for the 70 crew members who lived for months at a time in this 90-metre (300-foot) submarine. Examine the complex mechanics of the ship’s powerful engines as well as the control room, sonars and torpedo room.
- Overnight on the submarine (in French only, reservations required): Spend a unique evening and night aboard the Onondaga! You will be welcomed by the coxswain and asked to play the role of an apprentice submariner as you complete various immersive tasks.
The Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse National Historic Site: Explore 100 years of history
- Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse: Built in 1909, the lighthouse is the second tallest in Québec and one of the few to still have its prism. A guide will tell you more about the history of the lighthouse at the foot of the building.
- Lightkeeper’s house: Visit the River Sentinels exhibition to discover the captivating world of the lightkeepers and the St. Lawrence pilots.
- Foghorn shed: Learn about the history of the sound signals that replaced the light from the lighthouse when weather conditions made it impossible for mariners to see.
Opening dates
SUMMER/FALL 2025 – Museum, lighthouse and submarine*:
- June 7 to August 17: daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (tickets sold until 5 p.m.)
- August 18 to October 13: daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (tickets sold until 4 p.m.)
*Note that the submarine is closed for major work as of August 25, 2025.
WINTER/SPRING 2025 – Museum only:
- February 20 to June 6: Thursday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost
Visit the website and click on “Fees & Infos.”Reservations
Recommended for groups and during off-seasonPayment methods
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Visa
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MasterCard
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Interac
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Cheque
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Cash
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Travelers Cheque
Activities available
Museums
Visit an immersive exhibition and learn about the fascinating history of the Empress of Ireland, which sank in 1914 in only 14 minutes. Discover over 200 artefacts from the wreck and experience the ship’s last voyage during a multimedia show.
Interpretation Sites
Visit the Onondaga, Canada’s first submarine open to the public! Board the 90-metre (300-foot) steel vessel for an audio tour to discover the fascinating daily lives of the 70 crew members who lived in this submarine for months at a time.
Lighthouses
Built in 1909, the Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse is the second tallest in Québec. A guided tour will take you to the top, where you can admire a fabulous view. Discover the exhibitions in the lightkeeper’s house and the foghorn shed.
Maritime Heritage
Pointe-au-Père has contributed significantly to Canadian maritime history: a pilot station, 4 lighthouses, a Marconi telegraph office and a quarantine office were all built on this site. It also received the SOS distress signal from the Empress of Ireland in 1914.
Services
- Childrens playground
- Picnic area
- No pets allowed
- Boutique
- Restaurant or snack bar
- Free parking
How to get there
Take exit 621 off Highway 20 or Route 132 (Boulevard Sainte-Anne), then follow Avenue du Père-Nouvel towards the St. Lawrence.
Affiliations and distinctions
Affiliations
- 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
- Québec Tourist Attractions Society (SATQ)
- Québec Museums Association (SMQ)
- International Congress of Maritime Museums (ICMM)
Distinctions
- Excellence prize awarded by the Québec Museums Association (SMQ) for best multimedia show for The Last Voyage (2014)
- National winner of Québec Tourism Awards (2001, 2004, 2010, 2012)
