This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
The archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is the summer destination par excellence to discover a unique culture, that of France in North America, revealed by extraordinary fauna and flora, bathed by the Atlantic.
The ocean as far as the eye can see. No sooner have you set foot on solid ground than the charm of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon operates. Welcome in France ! These islands are located about twenty kilometers from Newfoundland. The archipelago is one of the seven French territories in America (with Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyana, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy and Clipperton Island) and the only one in North America, the last vestige of the New -France. Here, the sea air permeates the life of the archipelago, as does space and time, since everyone has a Basque, Breton, Norman or even Acadian fisherman ancestor who landed in the 16the century, when the resource was abundant. And if they are rarer today, lobster, scallops, snow crab, cod, halibut, mackerel, squid and wild salmon can still be enjoyed there, despite everything.
Interesting in the origins of the population is certainly the first thing to do when visiting the archipelago. In Saint-Pierre, capital of this overseas department, the Arche museum and archives of Saint-Pierre allows you to immerse yourself in its history thanks to a remarkable permanent collection. It also offers several guided tours, from the cemetery to the streets of the city center, which allow you to better understand this colorful territory. The Heritage Museum is a must if you want to learn more about a period that also made Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon famous at the start of the 20th century.e century: prohibition. In this regard, legend has it that a certain Al Capone stayed there.
At nightfall, we rush to Chez Txetxo, Rustique or Baratin, one of the three bars in Saint-Pierre, to meet its warm and generous inhabitants over a locally brewed beer, Miqu ‘Ale, for lively discussions.
From island to island
If the weather permits, Le Diamant, Anse à Henry, Anse à Pierre or Anse à Dinan are all hikes to discover an abundant nature – including the only boreal forest in France – drawn by the winds and tides. Summer is also the ideal season for sea trips, offered by the municipal sailing school and SPM Ferries, and the observation of seals, puffins and cetaceans. The luckiest visitors may have the opportunity to come face to face with humpback whales, fin whales as well as killer whales and dolphins, somewhere between the Grand Colombier and Cap Percé.
These nautical trips will also take you off Miquelon-Langlade, the other island which is full of wonders and outdoor walks. It is therefore unthinkable to explore the archipelago without staying there. The isthmus, the Grand Barachois or even Cap de Miquelon, for example, are breathtaking places that photography enthusiasts will take pleasure in immortalizing from sunrise to sunset and that pickers will appreciate for their flat beers. [appelées chicoutés au Québec] and its wild blueberries. Located in the village of Miquelon, the House of Nature and the Environment carefully explains and lists the geology, geography, climate and biodiversity of the archipelago.
Ile aux Marins, a real open-air museum with such a special character, is finally an exceptional experience. After crossing it from east to west and from north to south, with a stopover at the Archipelitude museum, you can contemplate one last time from the Maison Jézéquel, the city of Saint-Pierre, all in nuances.