Most interesting facts about Saint Pierre and Miquelon

COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a tremendous increase in tourist numbers. Most people began to make their post-pandemic travel plans, and I recommend you to do the same. There are so many fascinating and exciting locations to visit after 2020, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon are one of them. Probably most of you have never heard about this small land. Considering this, we decided to talk about the exciting facts about Saint Pierre and Miquelon. In this blog, you will learn where is Saint Pierre and Miquelon, what is the capital of: Saint Pierre and Miquelon, why is Saint Pierre and Miquelon not part of Canada, how to get to Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and more.

Fundamental facts about Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Of course, if you decide to visit a new location, first of all, you should learn where it is. Where is Saint Pierre and Miquelon? It is in Western Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere, next to North America. Also, the Canadian island Newfoundland is close to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. What is the capital of: Saint Pierre and Miquelon? Saint-Pierre is the capital of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and covers 25 square km. Most of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon population live in the capital, and data shows that 98% of Saint Pierre and Miquelon population live in urban areas. Which currency to use? The EURO is the official monetary unit, and I recommend you to bring only EURO, CAD, or USD on you. Because in most cases, exchange rates in such kinds of places are extremely low. Also, keep in mind that you are free to use Credit cards (you may face problems using a debit card). 

Colony of France

If you search Saint Pierre and Miquelon on Google, you will see this question: why is Saint Pierre and Miquelon not part of Canada? Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the overseas colony of France, but when people look at the map, they ask themselves: why is Saint Pierre and Miquelon not part of Canada? Honestly, Canada never had such a claim, and even if they had, it would be an open war declare against France. I don't think any of them wants such kind of conflict. Also, Canada and France are allies. Both of them are members of NATO (they even joined in the same year, 1949). 

Reservations are crucial

One of the first things that we want to try in a new location is the local cuisine. If you do not have a friend that lives in Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the best way to try delicious cuisine is through restaurants. As Saint Pierre and Miquelon population is low, you may think you can sit in restaurants whenever you want, but it is not right. Most local restaurants require a reservation. Which are the best cafes and restaurants on the islands? We consult you to visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon and to go to these places: Les Delices de Josephine, Les P'tits Graviers Sas, Le Feu de Braise, La crêperie du Vieux port, Auberge de L'Ile, and so on (most of them are in the capital of Saint Pierre and Miquelon). How much does it cost to have a meal? If you have a meal in an inexpensive restaurant, you will pay 5-8 EURO. On the other hand, if you have two people meal in a mid-range restaurant, it will be a little bit expensive, 50 EURO. Ok, we found the best restaurants and learned the prices, but what to try? Saint Pierre and Miquelon people prefer to eat fish and other seafood. French cuisine has an immense place in local cuisine, but you will have a chance to try flavors from various parts of the world. 

No communication problem

If you know French or English, you will not face any communication problems during your travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Saint Pierre and Miquelon people mostly use French in daily life, but many citizens have good English skills, too. Most of the location and meal names are in French, which means you will hear French words day long. Also, it can be a good chance for people who want to improve their French. Saint Pierre and Miquelon people are kind and friendly, so do not hesitate to talk with them. It will help you to learn many priceless facts about the daily lifestyle of residents. 

How to get to Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

In Saint Pierre and Miquelon tourism is not a profitable field. Only a couple of thousands of tourists travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon per year. But how to get to Saint Pierre and Miquelon? There are two most popular ways to visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The first of them is by ferry. Most of the visitors travel to Saint Pierre and Miquelon as part of their Newfoundland voyage. If you want to follow the same route, you can take ferries from Fortune town. Ticket prices chance between 30-80 depending on age, disability, and more. Of course, another way is Saint Pierre and Miquelon flights. You can find direct Saint Pierre and Miquelon flights from several cities, and most of them are in France and Canada. Even some Saint Pierre and Miquelon flights are available from Paris during the summer months. Where is the airport? The airport is in the capital of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. It is small but has an influential role in Saint Pierre and Miquelon tourism. 

A favorite location of alcohol contrabandists

When I heard something about rum smuggling, I immediately thought about the famous character from the Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow. As you know, he found the warehouse of alcohol smugglers and spent his days on the island just drinking rum. I can talk much about it, but we have another topic to talk about. Now we are going 100 years back. In 1920 the USA government prohibited alcohol production, and it caused a tremendous increase in alcohol contraband. During that period, Saint Pierre and Miquelon became the center of those smugglers. Data shows that the amount of just smuggled whisky was more than 4 million liters. That prohibition lasted until 1933 (alcohol consumption in the USA was 27 liters per year in the 1800s, 7.5 liters in the 1900s, and nowadays 8.7 liters per year).

Longevity

Since the beginning of time, human beings have a desire to find the secret of immortality. Of course, it is not possible, but even nowadays, millions of people believe in this. You can not live forever, but you can increase your lifespan through a healthy diet and lifestyle. Locals of the islands can be a good example to you in this matter. Data shows that the average life expectancy in Saint Pierre and Miquelon is almost 80. What is their secret? As we said before, seafood and various herbs consist an essential part of the locals' diet. When we add fresh and unpolluted air, an active lifestyle, and more, we can understand why they live longer. 

It was not always French territory

Canada has never ruled this land, but another English-speaking country was, that country is England. The British Empire was one of the most active players of the colonization era. They created the largest empire of all time. For a while, they controlled 22% of all Earth. Also, between 18 and 19th-century English conquered the area five times, but France took it back after each invasion. When we look at history, we can see that France and England have so many wars. Even for such little lands as Saint Pierre and Miquelon. France took permanent control over Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1816.

Favorite tourism locations

It is just 242 square km, so a couple of days are enough to see all the beauties of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. The area is small, but there is an activity for everyone. If you are interested in history and culture, you can go to discover museums on the island. Some of them are Arche Museum, Heritage Museum, and Archipelitude Museum. In these museums, you will get priceless facts about history, culture, traditions, and biodiversity. I recommend joining guided tours. They will be in English or French. Other must-see destinations are Ile aux Marins, Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse, Grand Colombier, Marais de l'Anse a Henry, Grand Barachois, etc. Also, many people visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon for outdoor activities. You can have a picnic, hiking on the island to discover all mysteries, or have a boat trip around the island. Holiday in Saint Pierre and Miquelon will be an unforgettable memory for you.