Welcome to Saint Pierre and Miquelon

For a little slice of France, just off the coast of Newfoundland, head to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. With their small-town feel, both islands are decidedly French, from their baguettes to their French cars. Take the ferry from Fortune and spend a couple of days enjoying the European-Canadian architecture, colorful shops and French cuisine.

Get lost on winding cobblestone alleys and pick up a souvenir or two. Take a coastal walk past a subarctic meadow and glimpse marine mammals in the wild. Later, share a “le verre de l’amitié,” what locals call a “friendship glass” in a local bar and toast to your good fortune in discovering these charming isles.

Unique Facts

• You might hear of Langlade Island while you’re visiting Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The largest of the two islands is actually Miquelon-Langlade, with the two being connected by a small, sandy isthmus, the Dune de Langlade.
• There is very little vegetation on the islands and the highest point is just 787 feet high.
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the first place in North America to celebrate the New Year.
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon were first occupied by the French in 1604. They were considered vitally important for their proximity to the Grand Banks and were the center of the French Atlantic cod fisheries.
• Al Capone was one of several mobsters who used the islands in their alcohol smuggling efforts during the 1920s and the American prohibition.

Language

Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s official language is French.

When To Go

The best time to go to Saint Pierre and Miquelon is between July and October.

Airports

Saint-Pierre Airport

Passport Validity

None

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccine for all travelers when visiting Saint Pierre and Miquelon: Measles and routine vaccinations. Most travelers should receive Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Rabies vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type E. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Euro

Getting Around

Be aware that there are no trains and roads between communities in Greenland. Your transportation will be via airplane, ferry, helicopter, ship or dog sled.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

Consulate General of The United States Of America
1969 Upper Water Street
Purdy’s Wharf Tower II
Suite 904
B3J 3R7, Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
Halifax-ACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Tourist Office of Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Place du Général de Gaulle
B.P. 4274
Saint-Pierre 97500
St. Pierre & Miquelon

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

General Emergency: 112

Safety and Security

The crime rate is low in Saint Pierre and Miquelon.