Perce Rock, in Quebec, Canada, is one of the world’s largest arches over water. An island of limestone in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the formation measures 1420 feet (433m) in length and over 300 feet (90m) in width. Regarded as both a historical and geological icon, it is aptly named after the pierced hole in its structure.
Legend of Perce Rock
Many years ago, there was a handsome, young man named Chevalier Raymond de Nerac, who was a new recruit of the French army. Chevalier was in love with a gorgeous lady named Blanche de Beaumont, and they were to marry. However, against his wishes, the French army assigned him to the Fortress of St Louis base in Quebec. His wife-to-be could not handle the thought of being parted from her fiancé, and so travelled to Quebec alone to meet him. Unfortunately for Blanche, her ship was raided by Spanish pirates upon passing Newfoundland and she was captured. The pirate’s captain told her that she would never escape, and proposed that she become his wife. In return for her acceptance, he would sail past the army base in Quebec so that she could lay her eyes on her love one final time. Blanche agreed, before reneging on her promise, and committing suicide by jumping off the boat during the marriage ceremony.
When Blanche threw herself into the sea, the boat became engulfed by a thick, relentless fog. The crew, scared to voyage onwards, anchored the boat at a nearby beach. The next day, the crew were petrified as they were greeted with an enormous rock that appeared to be floating near them. Amid the rock, they purported to have seen Blanche’s ghost. Blanche cursed the pirates and they crashed into the rock, never to be seen again. The following day, locals saw the rock and proclaimed that it had appeared like a ship under sail.
Interesting facts about Perce Rock
Perce Rock was first mapped in 1844 by Canadian geologist, Sir William Edmond Logan.
At its current size, the arch is large enough that a small boat could pass through during low tide.
During low tide, it is possible to walk to Perce Rock, as it is connected to the mainland at Rue du Mont-Joli by way of a sandbar.
The rock features evidence of approximately 150 different fossilised species of plants and animals.
Research has indicated that the rock was originally adjoined to the mainland. Centuries ago, in 1534, the French explorer, Jacques Cartier reported sighting 3 arches in the rock. However, in the many years that have since passed, references to a third arch have been rare.
Erosion from the sea is taking its toll on the rock, with forecast models predicting that coastal erosion will erode Perce rock completely in the next 16,000 years.
Visitors are not allowed atop of the rock. Whilst the area is inaccessible to humans, birds (e.g. black cormorants, or gulls) can often be found perching there.
How to get to Perce Rock
Perce Rock is approximately a 75-minute boat ride from Perce. Trips are restricted to the period from the end of May to the middle of October (exact dates change yearly). Many guided tours are available, which can offer interesting insight into the flora and fauna, geology and fossils on the rock.
Where to stay near Perce Rock
Given the rock is only accessible between the end of May and mid-October, it is highly recommended that you reserve lodging well in advance. There is a range of accommodation available, with the most luxurious lodgings offering panoramic views of Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island. For those operating on a tight budget, lower cost options are also available.
Are there any good places locally to do some fossil hunting – somewhere where I can collect and take them home?
My daughter and I found some fossilised sea-shells engraved into the pebble rocks that are all over the beach near the rock. You don’t have to go anywhere special to find them – it was the main viewing location if you are not taking a boat tour. We were there on June 29th this year 🙂
Great paper! I am actually from a small town nearby Perce.
There was a mistake though; the rock isn’t 75 minutes from Perce Town. It’s actually 2 minutes of walking from the beach. And it’s also now illegal to walk near the Perce rock at low tides because of the danger of rock falling.
Thank you! I knew it wasn’t a 75-minute boat ride. I lived around there all my life almost sure perce rock was in the town of peace.
At high tide, can you get close to it on a boat, or possibly even take a kayak through the arch?
I would love to go there !!!it looks beautiful
Some people apparently compare the rock’s appearance to that of a ship without sails. In my family, we had a different comparison. When I was between 8 and 10 years old, we lived directly across the bay from the Percé Rock and looked directly out at it from our living room window (at the opposite side from what you see from Percé). To me it always looked like a horse, up to its belly in the water and with its head down, having a drink. Just in front of it is a small stack of hay.
What a great description and wonderful memories!
Visited Percé recently and love the small town and Percé Rock! My sister and I walked close to the Rock at low tide sbd we were mesmerized by the size!
I am curious about how deep the water gets near the rock (where people typically walk at low tide) when the tide fully comes in.
Can someone share that info?
I’ve been researching trying to find it but it seems like some information that isn’t commonly shared.
Also, we were warned that there would be a possible fine for going too close or even touching the rock. We proceeded with caution. However, we noted many peoe venturing right up to the rock. Many walked right up to the arch.
Apparently there are also endangered birds that frequent near the rock and this causes the town officials to try and protect them by controlling how people walk near Percé Rock at low tide.
Hopefully visitors and locals will continue to be able to venture down to the rock at low tide (while respecting endangered wild life and town rules of course). It’s truly a great experience and such an amazing sight to see (from near and far).
This really helped me for a presentation I’m working on