Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Welcome to Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a special group of eight tiny islands in the Atlantic Ocean. These islands belong to France, even though they are very close to Canada, near a place called Newfoundland and Labrador. About 5,500 people live here, and they are all French citizens.

The islands have their own little government but are still part of France. People there use the same money as in France, called the euro. They also have some links to the European Union.

These islands sit in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, close to a spot named Fortune Bay. The nearest big town in Canada is just 19 kilometers away. But the closest big city in France, Brest, is much farther—over 3,800 kilometers away!

Fun Facts and History

Saint-Pierre is named after Saint Peter, a special person for fishermen. The name Miquelon comes from an old sailor’s writing from 1579. Some think it means “big Michael.”

Long ago, people from Canada visited these islands for fishing but didn’t stay forever. In 1536, a French explorer named Jacques Cartier claimed them for France. The islands changed hands many times during wars but mostly stayed with France.

Today, the biggest island, Miquelon-Langlade, looks like two islands joined by sand. The main island, Saint Pierre, has most of the people and is where you’ll find shops, schools, and an airport.

Life on the Islands

People on Saint Pierre and Miquelon enjoy a mix of French culture and nearby Canadian life. They love seafood, especially lobster and cod. Ice hockey is a very popular sport here!

Traveling to and from the islands is fun. There are ferries that take about 90 minutes to reach Canada. The islands also have small airports for flights to places like Paris in France and cities in Canada.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a wonderful place where French traditions meet the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. It’s a tiny piece of France close to the big world!