Things to do in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

25 things to do in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunset from the Pointe aux Canons Lighthouse

  Climb the historic cast-iron lighthouse at the harbour entrance for sweeping views of the town and surrounding islands, especially magical at sunset when the sky turns gold behind the brightly coloured houses.

  Saint-Pierre

• Explore the abandoned fishing village on Île aux Marins

  Take a short boat ride to this hauntingly beautiful ghost island where a school, church, and wooden homes stand frozen in time, telling the story of the cod fishery’s decline.

  Île aux Marins

• Visit the Musée de l'Arche and discover the archipelago's maritime past

  This small but rich museum displays ship models, fishing gear, and photographs that bring alive Saint Pierre and Miquelon’s centuries-old relationship with the sea.

  Saint-Pierre

• Stroll the colourful streets of downtown Saint-Pierre

  Wander past candy-hued wooden houses with gingerbread trim on Rue Boursaint and Rue Albert Briand, the most photogenic and unmistakably French corner of North America.

  Saint-Pierre

• Indulge in fresh seafood at Le Feu de Braise restaurant

  A local favourite, this cosy restaurant serves pan-seared scallops, cod fillets, and lobster caught that day, paired with a crisp Sancerre and views of the St. Pierre harbour.

  Saint-Pierre

• Take a birdwatching boat tour to Grand Colombier Island for puffins

  The sheer cliffs of this uninhabited rock are home to thousands of Atlantic puffins, razorbills, and kittiwakes. Tours approach closely enough to see their colourful beaks without disturbing the colony.

  Grand Colombier

• Hike the dramatic dunes of the Miquelon-Langlade Isthmus

  A wild sandbar flanked by two seas, this 12-kilometre strip feels like the edge of the world. Walking here, you pass wild horses, shipwreck debris, and shallow lagoons teeming with birds.

  Miquelon-Langlade

• Admire the wooden architecture of Saint-Pierre Cathedral

  This early 20th-century Roman Catholic cathedral, rebuilt after a fire, stands out with its wooden vaulted ceiling, vibrant stained glass, and a serene atmosphere in the heart of the town.

  Saint-Pierre

• Learn about Prohibition-era rum-running at the Musée Héritage

  Discover how Saint-Pierre became a smuggling hub during American Prohibition with vintage bottles, false-bottom suitcases, and stories of Al Capone’s suspected visits to the islands.

  Saint-Pierre

• Go whale watching in the waters off Saint-Pierre

  From May to October, humpback, minke, and fin whales feed in the rich planktonic waters. Local operators offer small-boat excursions for respectful, close encounters with these giants.

  Off Saint-Pierre

• Savor a croissant and café au lait at Boulangerie de l’Arche

  This traditional French bakery turns out flaky, buttery pastries and baguettes daily. Sit at a tiny table outside with your coffee and watch the town wake up.

  Saint-Pierre

• Attend the Bastille Day festivities on July 14th

  Dancing, fireworks, a military parade through the tricolour-draped streets, and a carnival atmosphere—the islands erupt in proud French celebration for the national day.

  Saint-Pierre

• Hike the Sentier de la Cormorandière to see wild horses and cliffs

  This coastal trail on Langlade reveals dramatic basalt cliffs, wind-carved rock formations, and herds of semi-wild horses that roam the peat-rich headlands above crashing surf.

  Langlade

• Watch a Basque pelota match at Fronton Zazpiak Bat

  The island’s Basque heritage comes alive on this open-air court, where fast-paced pelota games draw a dedicated local crowd. It’s a slice of Pyrenean culture transplanted to the North Atlantic.

  Saint-Pierre

• Sea kayak along the sculpted coastline of Miquelon

  Paddle into sea caves, through natural arches, and beneath towering cliffs accessible only from the water. Seals often pop up to curiously inspect kayakers in these wild, cold waters.

  Miquelon

• Birdwatch on the Miquelon-Langlade isthmus during migration

  This narrow spit of land acts as a funnel for thousands of shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors each spring and autumn, making it one of the premier birding sites in the French overseas territories.

  Miquelon-Langlade Isthmus

• Try local charcuterie and cheese at the Marché Couvert

  Under the covered market’s iron roof, vendors sell pungent washed-rind cheeses, dried sausages, and terrines. It’s the perfect stop to assemble a picnic with authentic French flavours.

  Saint-Pierre

• Explore the historic graves at the Cimetière de Saint-Pierre

  The weathered tombstones of sailors, fishermen, and lost seafarers tell a sad tale of the islands’ dangerous waters. An old section with ornate iron crosses feels like an open-air museum.

  Saint-Pierre

• Visit the ancient archaeological site at Anse à Henry, Langlade

  Excavations here reveal traces of Archaic and Dorset peoples who camped and fished millennia ago. Interpretative panels describe the earliest known inhabitants of these islands.

  Langlade

• Photograph the shipwreck of the ‘Triton’ at Pointe de la Grande Miquelon

  The rusting bow of this 20th-century freighter juts from the sand on a remote northern beach, a surreal sight against the empty dunes and pounding Atlantic waves.

  Grande Miquelon

• Enjoy live music and drinks at Bar Le Rustique

  This lively bar packs in locals and visitors for cover bands, sea shanties, and DJ sets. Order a local rhum arrangé and dance until the early hours to keep the island night alive.

  Saint-Pierre

• Sip an apéro at Café de la Bourse with locals

  A meeting point for generations, this classic café serves pastis, wine, and small plates in an unpretentious setting. The terrace fills up on summer evenings as the town promenades past.

  Saint-Pierre

• Summit the Morne de la Grande Miquelon for panoramic views

  A challenging but rewarding hike to the highest point in the archipelago (240 m) reveals a 360-degree vista encompassing both islands, the isthmus, and the open ocean on a clear day.

  Miquelon

• Learn about the cod fishing era at the Écomusée de Miquelon

  Housed in a former school, this museum documents the rise and fall of the inshore cod fishery through artifacts, interviews, and photographs, keeping the memory of the ‘little fishermen’ alive.

  Miquelon village

• Cycle from Miquelon village to the Langlade isthmus

  Rent a bike and ride the flat, scenic road past peat bogs, ponds, and glimpses of the sandy isthmus ahead, with the wind at your back and the cry of terns overhead.

  Miquelon