Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Saint Pierre and Miquelon are a small group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland and Labrador. First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American empire, New France.
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| Capital | Saint-Pierre |
| Currency | euro (EUR) |
| Population | 6 thousand (2013) |
| Electricity | 230 volt / 50 hertz and 400 volt / 50 hertz (Europlug, Type E) |
| Country code | +508 |
| Time zone | UTC−03:00 |
| Emergencies | 112 |
| Driving side | right |
| edit on Wikidata | |
Islands
- Saint-Pierre - the smaller island, the only significantly populated town (the capital), and the central area of activity.
- Miquelon - the larger island (actually three of them, connected by drifted sand) and village, Basque and Acadian history, and a large amount of wildlife, small farming operations and summer homes.
Understand
Saint-Pierre was a site for settlement by the French in the early 17th century, later abandoned under the Treaty of Utrecht, and returned to France in 1763 at the end of the Seven Years War. The islands became a place of refuge for Acadian deportees from Nova Scotia. Saint-Pierre figured frequently in North American British-French relations. It profited heavily from U.S. Prohibition, which did not apply in this area, as they were part of France. It was depopulated and repopulated frequently, and now remains the last vestige of Imperial France within North America.
Like its northern neighbour, Newfoundland, it is a key fishing centre close to the Grand Banks, some of the world's richest fishing grounds. However, as in Newfoundland, the decline in cod stocks has seriously affected the fishery. As a result, tourism is becoming increasingly important to the economy. As a travel destination, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is ideal for those interested in historical and cultural discovery, eco-tourism and the French language. Beyond its history, Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is a wonderful destination because of its mild refreshing climate, its beautiful landscapes, the quality of the air and the warmth of its inhabitants.
As a part of France, the area has much in common with Europe, but also with its Canadian and American neighbours.
Tourist information
- Tourism Office (Comité Régional du Tourisme), Place du Général de Gaulle, ☎ +508 410200, fax: +508 413355.
Get in
Although Saint Pierre and Miquelon are territories of France, they are not part of the Schengen Zone, so immigration procedures are different from those of France. Canadians will need passports for a stay of over three months, otherwise some forms of photo ID are acceptable. All other nationalities need passports and, in some cases, visas. Check with your local French consulate or embassy. Most travellers are only given a cursory inspection when entering the island of Saint-Pierre.
By plane
Air service to Saint-Pierre is available via Air Saint-Pierre through:
- St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Montréal and Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec
Air Saint Pierre operates non-stop flights to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in July and August only; these cost €550-580/person (one way) and run once a week. There are no other flights to Saint Pierre FSP IATA and Miquelon MQC IATA from anywhere but Canada.
As Canada does not allow sterile transit, travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon requires a multiple-entry Canadian Visa or eTA, even for passengers who would otherwise enjoy visa free entry to Saint Pierre and Miquelon.
By car
The passenger-only Cabestan was withdrawn on May 26, 2018 and replaced with two new ferries at a cost of $25 million. These ferries should have been able to carry vehicles, but a lack of adequate port facilities at Fortune, Newfoundland has left them unable to load or unload cars. Fortune's port authority, a group of volunteer fishermen, do not have the estimated $2 million required (after federal and provincial subsidies) to build the necessary facilities - and, even if funding were available, the entire season would be over before suitable docks could be in place.
By bus
DRL Coachlines (+1 888 738 8091) and Newhook's Transportation (+1 709 726-4876) operate on the Trans-Canada Highway between St. John's and Port-aux-Basques. Disembark a short time after Clarenville to head southwest towards Fortune and the ferry to Saint-Pierre.
The distance from the Trans-Canada Highway to Fortune is about 200 km, and there's no public transport on that stretch. Hitchhiking or taking a taxi from Clarenville are the fastest options if you don't have your own car.
By boat
- SPM Ferries, ☎ +508 41-08-75. Ferries SUROÎT and NORDET cross from Fortune, Newfoundland to St. Pierre, Miquelon or Longlade. SP, one-way: €45/adult, €40/senior, €35/child + €10/bicycle.
Get around
Given the compact size of Saint-Pierre, it is generally easy to get around on foot. Those intimidated by the town's notorious sloping streets may find that a rented scooter may be a more friendly option. There are also a number of taxi services that offer guided tours of Saint-Pierre. Avid renters, be warned that there is but a handful of rental cars on the island.
The nearby islands of île aux Marins, Langlade, and Miquelon may be accessed via ferry. Île aux Marins and Langlade are inhabited only during the summer months and lack amenities such as taxis, hospitals, or internet service. The town of Miquelon is considerably smaller than Saint-Pierre and therefore has fewer hotels, shops, and restaurants.
Talk
The French spoken in Saint Pierre and Miquelon is very similar to that spoken in Normandy, Brittany and Paris. The islanders are quite proud of their linguistic heritage.
Due to its proximity to English-speaking Canada, Saint-Pierre has become a popular destination for Anglophone students wishing to become immersed in French language and culture.
The islands have a specialist language teaching facility named the FrancoForum, owned and operated by the local government in Saint-Pierre. Staffed by professional French instructors, the institute offers a variety of courses for both students and teachers wishing to improve their fluency.
The FrancoForum is best known for hosting Le Programme Frecker, a 3-month French immersion programme offered to students at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada. The programme, which began in 1975, was originally housed in a small building at the centre of town. In 2000, an agreement was reached with the Territorial Council in Saint-Pierre to relocate the programme to the newly built FrancoForum.
See
Do
Soak up this little corner of France in North America
Buy
Money
|
Exchange rates for Euros As of 25 January 2019:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com |
Like the rest of France, the official currency is the euro ("€", ISO currency code: EUR). It is divided into 100 cents. In Saint-Pierre, it is also common for Canadian and U.S. dollars to be accepted by merchants.
You will find that nearly everything is on the expensive side, with the notable exceptions of wine and cigarettes.
Eat
French cuisine is standard in Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Those who love seafood should look into the Seafood Festival that is held every year in mid-August in the small town of Miquelon.
Drink
Sleep
Both islands have a number of hotels, B&Bs, and rental apartments, though none are large — only a couple of establishments on Saint Pierre have more than a dozen rooms, so be sure to book in advance. Expect to pay around €35-50 for budget accommodations, €70-80 for a fancier grade.
Stay safe
There is little crime in Saint Pierre and Miquelon and this destination should be considered one of the safest possible in North America.
Unlike virtually everywhere else in North America, the power mains voltage is mostly 220 V. If you're from a 110-120 V country, note that a euro-plug adaptor doesn't reduce the voltage, and so will cause your appliance to burn out quickly. See the Electrical systems article for more information. Note that a few bed & breakfast inns have 110 V with North American outlets, though the frequency is still 50 Hz which can effect clocks and motors.
Stay healthy
Saint Pierre and Miquelon pose few health threats. The weather is often chilly and a sweater comes in handy, even during the summer months. If a serious injury should occur, there is a small hospital located in the town of Saint-Pierre. Patients who require special treatment are usually sent to larger, better-equipped hospitals in Canada.
Go next
Heading back to Canada is the most sensible choice. Go to Halifax, Montreal or St. John's by plane. Alternatively, take a ferry to Fortune, Newfoundland. There are now seasonal flights in July and August to Paris.