All eyes on a new exhibition at the MAQ!

Bonaventure, May 21, 2024 – The Musée acadien du Québec (MAQ) presents the traveling exhibition " Tout feu, tout phare," produced by the Musée maritime du Québec in collaboration with photographer Patrick Matte and the Corporation des gestionnaires de phares de l’estuaire et du golfe Saint-Laurent.

In the 19th century, maritime traffic increased on the St. Lawrence River, causing numerous accidents. Faced with substantial losses, merchants and boat owners demanded changes. This led to the creation of a network of lighthouses in the Gulf and the River, which would serve for nearly two centuries to signal land to sailors.

The exhibition " Tout feu, tout phare " (All Fire, All Light) highlights the history of Quebec's lighthouses, which have witnessed the odyssey of the St. Lawrence River. During your visit, you will discover the important role played by lighthouses and the keepers who operated them.

Showcasing images captured by Patrick Matte, a talented photographer who has been working with the Corporation des gestionnaires de phares de l’estuaire et du golfe Saint-Laurent (Corporation of Lighthouse Managers of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence ) for many years, the exhibition " All Fire, All Lighthouse " also showcases artifacts and models drawn from the Corporation's rich collection of objects. The Musée maritime du Québec, for its part, has developed an educational and evocative narrative of the history of lighthouses in Quebec.

At the heart of this exhibition lies an inseparable link with Acadian history. The lighthouses of the St. Lawrence River were much more than just a maritime guide for the Acadian diaspora in Quebec. They symbolize resilience, safety, and hope. Let us also remember that one of the first lighthouses in North America was Acadian and built at the fortress of Louisbourg between 1731 and 1733." — Laurie Beaudoin, curator.

On display from June 2 to October 6, 2024, the exhibition " Tout feu, tout phare " (All Fire, All Lighthouse) invites you on a fun and original journey through Quebec's fabulous maritime landscape!