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Territory of France

North America

Saint Pierre and MiquelonTravel guide

Explore Saint Pierre and Miquelon visa rules

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a small group of French islands in the North Atlantic, south of Newfoundland and Labrador. It offers French culture, fishing history and beautiful landscapes.

Why go

  1. French language and culture in North America.

  2. Historic islands first settled by the French in the early 17th century.

  3. Beautiful landscapes and opportunities to explore nature.

  4. French food and local seafood.

Best time to go: Summer offers seasonal flights from Paris and the Seafood Festival in mid-August. Even summer days can be chilly.

Getting there

By air

  • Air Saint-Pierre serves Saint-Pierre from St. John's, Halifax, Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Montreal in Canada.
  • Flights take about 45 minutes from St. John's, 1 hour 15 minutes from Halifax and 2 hours 45 minutes from Montreal.
  • Non-stop flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle run once a week from mid-June through the first week of September.

By sea

  • SPM Ferries connects Fortune, Newfoundland, with Saint-Pierre, Miquelon or Langlade.
  • The ferries are called SUROÎT and NORDET.

Customs

  • Most travellers receive only a brief inspection when entering Saint-Pierre.
  • Entry procedures differ from mainland France because the islands are outside the Schengen travel area.
  • Check document requirements with your local French consulate or embassy, including any requirements for travelling through Canada.

Getting around

  • Walking

    Saint-Pierre is compact and generally easy to explore on foot. Some town streets have steep slopes.

  • Scooters and rental cars

    A rented scooter can make the sloping streets easier to manage. Only a handful of rental cars are available.

  • Taxis

    Several taxi services offer guided tours of Saint-Pierre.

  • Ferries between islands

    Ferries serve Île aux Marins, Langlade and Miquelon. Île aux Marins and Langlade are inhabited only in summer and have no taxis, hospitals or internet service. Miquelon is smaller than Saint-Pierre and has fewer hotels, shops and restaurants.

What to see and do

  • Miquelon landscapes

    The islands are known for beautiful landscapes, and Miquelon offers a smaller settlement than Saint-Pierre.

  • Saint-Pierre

    Explore a French town with a history tied to fishing, Acadian refugees and the U.S. ban on alcohol.

  • Explore French culture

    Experience a small corner of France in North America, with French language and food.

  • Study French at the FrancoForum

    This local government language school offers courses taught by professional French instructors.

  • Take a guided taxi tour

    Taxi services offer guided tours of Saint-Pierre.

  • Visit nearby islands

    Take a ferry to Île aux Marins, Langlade or Miquelon.

Food and drink

  • French cuisine

    French food is standard on the islands. Restaurant meals can be expensive.

  • Local seafood

    The islands have local specialities and a long connection with fishing.

  • Miquelon Seafood Festival

    Held each year in mid-August, the festival has only 500 tickets. Tickets can only be bought in Miquelon 3–4 days beforehand.

  • Wine

    Wine is one of the few things described as relatively inexpensive.

Money

Euro (€; EUR), divided into 100 cents.

  • Merchants in Saint-Pierre commonly accept Canadian and U.S. dollars.
  • Credit cards that use a chip and a personal identification number (PIN) are accepted everywhere except bakeries.
  • Nearly everything is expensive, with wine and cigarettes being notable exceptions.

Typical costs

  • The ferry listing, updated in February 2023, gives one-way fares to Saint-Pierre of €45 per adult, €40 per senior and €35 per child.
  • The same ferry listing gives extra charges of €10 for a bicycle, €75 for a small car and €110 for a large motorhome.
  • Paid wireless internet access costs €4.99 for 2 hours, €9.99 for 1 day or €29.99 for 1 week.

Language

  • French is spoken locally and is similar to the French spoken in Normandy and Brittany.
  • Most residents speak English as a second language.

Staying safe

  • Crime is low, and the islands are described as among the safest destinations in North America.
  • Electricity is mostly 220–230 volts at 50 hertz. A plug adapter does not lower the voltage, so check that your appliance supports it.
  • A few bed and breakfasts have 110-volt North American outlets, but the 50-hertz supply can still affect clocks and motors.

Staying healthy

  • The islands pose few health threats.
  • Bring a sweater because the weather is often chilly, even in summer.
  • Saint-Pierre has a small hospital. Patients needing specialist treatment are usually sent to larger hospitals in Canada.
  • Île aux Marins and Langlade have no hospitals.

Phone and internet

  • The two mobile phone providers are SPM Telecom and Globaltel SPM.
  • SPM Telecom offers prepaid SIM cards for visitors.
  • Roaming arrangements for the European Union and European Economic Area do not apply on the islands.
  • SPM Telecom has more than 150 wireless internet hotspots named “SPM à la carte”.

Where to stay

  • Saint-Pierre and Miquelon have hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rental apartments.
  • Accommodation is small; only a couple of places on Saint-Pierre have more than a dozen rooms.
  • Book in advance.

Airports, metros and trains in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Airports with scheduled flights

  • FSPSaint-Pierre Pointe-Blanche AirportSaint-Pierre

People and safety in Saint Pierre and Miquelon

Religion

Most people are Christian. Mostly one faith.

  • Christian95%
  • No religion4%
  • Other1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal and protected

  • Same-sex couples can marry.
  • Laws protect against discrimination.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 29 of 101 countries can visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required29
  • Visa required72

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Americas16 of 19 countries
  • Europe3 of 4 countries
  • Oceania7 of 14 countries
  • Asia1 of 10 countries
  • Africa2 of 54 countries

Questions

Is Saint Pierre and Miquelon part of France?

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a territory linked to France, with its own entry rules. Check them separately even if you can visit France.

Does a France visa let me visit Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

Not automatically. Many territories set their own entry rules, so a visa or visa-free entry for France may not cover Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Check the Saint Pierre and Miquelon visa page for your passport.

Where are Saint Pierre and Miquelon?

They are French islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Can I visit without speaking French?

Most residents speak English as a second language. French is the local language.

Can I arrive by ferry from Canada?

Yes. SPM Ferries runs from Fortune, Newfoundland, to Saint-Pierre, Miquelon or Langlade.

Do I need a car on Saint-Pierre?

Saint-Pierre is compact and generally easy to explore on foot, though its streets can be steep. Scooters and taxis are also available.

What money can I use?

The official currency is the euro. Merchants in Saint-Pierre commonly accept Canadian and U.S. dollars, and chip-and-PIN credit cards are accepted except in bakeries.

Should I book accommodation ahead?

Yes. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, and rental apartments are small, so the source recommends booking in advance.

What clothes should I bring?

Bring a sweater. The weather can be chilly even during summer.

Will my electrical appliances work?

Check that they support the local 220–230-volt, 50-hertz supply. A plug adapter alone does not lower the voltage.

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