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Saint-Pierre and Miquelon

Table of Contents:
Islands / Culture and History / Travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, visa requirements Flights to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, airtickets By car Buses to Saint Pierre and Miquelon By boat / Get around / Talk / Shopping, Saint Pierre and Miquelon souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Saint Pierre and Miquelon nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Stay safe / Stay healthy / Contact

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Saint-Pierre and Miquelon [1] are a small group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland. First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.

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.

Culture and History

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. As well, the islands became a place of refuge for Acadian deportees from Nova Scotia. Saint-Pierre figures frequently in North American British-French relations. As well, it profited heavily from US Prohibition, which did not affect this area, technically 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 increasinly important to the economy. As a travel destination, St-Pierre et Miquelon is ideal for those interested in historical and cultural discovery, eco-tourism and the French language. Beyond its history, Saint-Pierre et 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 the European Union, the area has much in common with Europe, but also with its Canadian and American neighbours.

Travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, visa requirements

Despite being part of the European Union, immigration procedures are different. Canadians will need picture identification (driver's licence for example) and proof of citizenship (birth certificate), Europeans will need passports (on account of needing to pass through Canada), and all other nationalities will need passports and/or visas. Check with your local French consulate or embassy. Most travelers are only given a cursory inspection when entering Saint-Pierre.

Flights to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, airtickets

Air service to Saint-Pierre is available via Air Saint-Pierre through:

By car

Travelling by car to Saint-Pierre requires driving through Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, and taking the ferry.

From Argentia, take Highway 100 northeast until the TransCanada Highway 1. Take 1 northwest to Highway 210. On 210, head southwest until Highway 220. Take 220 to Fortune.

From Port aux Basques, take Highway 470 west to TransCanada Highway 1. Take 1 east until Highway 210. On 210, head southwest until Highway 220. Take 220 to Fortune.

As the island of Newfoundland is home to a moose population of over 100,000, do drive slowly and cautiously, especially when driving at night. Remember that hitting a moose is not like hitting a deer--a moose is a tall beast, and your car will hit its legs, knocking the brunt of its weight into the windshield and you. This is the last thing you want to have happen.

Buses to Saint Pierre and Miquelon

If you are going through Newfoundland via Port aux Basques, DRL Coachlines Ltd. offers daily scheduled passenger coach services between St. John's & Port Aux Basques on the island. DRL's head office is in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but they can be reached toll-free at 1-888-738-8091. If you wish to reach their office in St. John's, call 1-709-738-8088.

Another bus service from Port Aux Basques to St. John's is Newhook's Transportation. Call them at 1-709-726-4876.

In either case, you'll need to get off the bus a short time after Clarenville to head southwest towards Fortune and the ferry to Saint-Pierre.

By boat

Marine Atlantic ferry service runs from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador (on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland), throughout the year, and to Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador (about 90km from St. John's), during the summer. The duration of the ride depends on the weather and water conditions, so patience is of the essence. It is advisable to call Marine Atlantic ahead of time to make a reservation (call 1-800-341-7981). If you are bringing a U-haul or something other than a passenger vehicle, you will likely be considered a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles can only make reservations by doubling the usual fare. It is cheaper to simply take your number, wait in line and hope for the best.

In general, Marine Atlantic Ferries cater to your every whim, carrying food, alcohol, gift shops, cinemas and sleeping accommodations. There will be lots for you to do.

Once in Newfoundland, drive or take a bus to Fortune (see By car & By bus). From here, you'll leave your car and take the ferry to Saint-Pierre with SPM EXPRESS.

Get around

Given the compact size of Saint-Pierre, it's generally easy to get around on foot. Those intimidated by the town's notorious sloping streets, 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, there is less than a handful of rental cars on the island.

The nearby islands of île aux Marins, Langlande and Miquelon may be accessed via ferry. île aux Marins and Langlade are only inhabited 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 close 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 specialized language teaching facility named the FrancoForum, owned and operated by the local government in Saint-Pierre. Staffed by professional French instructors, the institue offers a varitey 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 program offered to students at Memorial University in Newfoundland, Canada. The program, which began in 1975, was originally housed in a small building at the centre of town. In 2000, an agreement was reached with the Conseil Général in Saint-Pierre to relocate the program to the newly built FrancoForum.

Shopping, Saint Pierre and Miquelon souvenirs

Like France, the official currency is the Euro, but in Saint-Pierre, it is also common for Canadian & American dollars to be accepted by merchants. Also like France, you will find that nearly everything is on the expensive side, with the notable exceptions of wine and cigarettes.

Good restaurants and cheap meals

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.