Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Key facts

• Region: The non-sovereign, dependent nations of the Americas
• Sovereignty: Non-sovereign territory administered by France
• Good to know: Off the coast of Canada.
• Capital: Saint-Pierre
• Currency: Euro (EUR)
• Languages: French
• Main airport: FSP — Saint-Pierre Airport
• Best time to visit: June to September, the short warm season; winter is cold, wet and windy with frequent fog

Overview

Saint-Pierre and Miquelon is a French overseas collectivity located off the south coast of Newfoundland, Canada, near the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Despite being French and using the euro, it lies in the North Atlantic far from the Caribbean and has a cool, maritime climate with cold winters. It is the last remnant of France's former North American empire and has a distinct French, Basque and Acadian heritage with a prohibition-era rum-running past.

Airports

Saint-Pierre Pointe-Blanche Airport (FSP) is the main airport, located on the island of Saint-Pierre and serving the capital. Miquelon Airport (MQC) serves the island of Miquelon-Langlade to the north. Both are small fields with short runways, and scheduled connections run mainly to Canada, with services to Newfoundland and seasonal or connecting flights onward. Vehicle and passenger ferries also link the islands to each other and to Newfoundland.

Main cities

Saint-Pierre is the capital and largest settlement, a compact harbour town with colourful houses and the main concentration of services. Miquelon-Langlade is the other inhabited area, made up of the villages of Miquelon and Langlade on the linked northern island. The two are separated by a narrow isthmus and reached from Saint-Pierre by ferry or small aircraft.

Places to go

Île aux Marins, a short boat ride from Saint-Pierre, is an abandoned island settlement preserved as a heritage site with its old church and houses. On Miquelon-Langlade, the long sandy Isthme de Langlade connects the two former islands, and the surrounding dunes and peat bogs are protected. The Cap de Miquelon and the Grand Barachois lagoon are notable natural areas, the latter known for seals and seabirds. Whale-watching and the rugged North Atlantic coastline are among the main outdoor draws in summer.

Getting there

Cheapest cached round-trip fare into Saint Pierre and Miquelon, refreshed every 6 hours:

Where to stay

Practical information

Frequently asked