Want to go to the end of the world? Discover the 10 most beautiful places to visit in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a small piece of France off the coast of Canada!

Would you take a breath of fresh air? Welcome to a paradise for photographers and hikers! Three main islands and a few uninhabited islets make up the French archipelago of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

This overseas community, a veritable land of fishermen in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, has just over 6,000 inhabitants. Authentic and colorful, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Langlade are the only two municipalities in the archipelago, and nature is never far away. 

On Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, fauna and flora are everywhere! The dense forests, valleys, and deserted beaches are home to various animals. Are you looking for nature and tranquility? Go without further delay to discover the 10 most beautiful places to visit in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon!

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The 10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon

The island of Saint-Pierre

1. L’Anse à Henry

L’Anse à Henry is located north of Saint-Pierre, one of the archipelago’s main islands. This natural site is steeped in history. As evidenced by the 5,000-year-old material remains found on site, the place was occupied by Amerindian and Paleo-American civilizations.

After a 45-minute walk on the marked trail of the same name, you can explore this exceptional place. 

While this walk place is so popular, it still provides superb landscapes and an unobstructed view of the Grand Colombier islet.

2. The Pointe aux Canons lighthouse

The Pointe aux Canons lighthouse in the port of Saint-Pierre is a must on the island. You will not be able to miss it if you arrive by sea. Its pier will offer you a lovely view of the city. 

As a symbol, this very photogenic red and white lighthouse is found on many postcards illustrating Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

3. The salt pans

Are you an avid photographer? Don’t miss the salt pans of Saint-Pierre if you plan to visit Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon! Initially, these small colorful fishermen’s huts were used to preserve salt and salted fish and store fishing gear.

Now, one of them has been transformed into a small museum; the others are meeting points or continue to house the equipment of local fishermen. 

Their bright colors contrast with the landscape, especially on foggy days, giving it an almost magical atmosphere. As a bonus, maybe you will have the chance to come across a Doris, a traditional wooden fishing boat.

4. The city of Saint-Pierre

The capital of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, Saint-Pierre, is home to nearly 90% of the archipelago population. The small town is surrounded by nature with streets and alleys adorned with cheerfully colored wooden houses. 

This is reminiscent of the traditional houses of some Scandinavian countries or Canada.

The inhabitants being mainly descendants of Breton, Norman, and Basque settlers, it is also not uncommon to come across a Basque pelota pediment. “Atypical and authentic” perfectly describes this city with the appearance of a village!

5. The Grand Colombier

The Grand Colombier is an uninhabited islet off the coast of Saint-Pierre and a nature reserve. If you haven’t already, you can now add it to your list of the most scenic places in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon!

Are you passionate about nature, and especially wildlife? However, a.  sanctuary of 1.2 km, virgin of inhabitants, is home to thousands of migratory birds. 

You have a good chance of seeing puffins or Torda penguins in the right season. Open your eyes wide to the horizon; humpback whales, dolphins, and whales sometimes appear offshore!

Exploring Grand Colombier also means enjoying a breathtaking view of the islands of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Langlade. 

If you’ve always wondered what the world’s end might look like, this giant rock is a taste of it.

The island of Miquelon-Langlade

6. The isthmus

A view of the sky allows us to observe the unique and spectacular landscape of the sand isthmus connecting the south of Miquelon (Grande Miquelon) to the north of Langlade (Petite Miquelon). 

About 12 km long, this vast wilderness is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Grand Barachois lagoon. 

From yellow to white through red and green, its colors evolve with the seasons. Dune vegetation and peatlands flourish on this piece of land.

After crossing the cordon of the dunes of Buttereaux, you can continue your walk to the Sauveur marsh, the Grand Barachois lagoon, the Wildlife Observatory, and finally, the shores of the Goulet.

The isthmus of Miquelon-Langlade and the Grand Barachois are privileged sites to observe wildlife. 

The huge shallow lagoon of Grand Barachois is located north of the isthmus. 

Many species of shorebirds, such as the snipe or the whistling plover, live here in semi-freedom with horses and seals. The latter regularly come to bask there at low tide.

7. Cape Town of Miquelon

Wondering what to visit in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon? Head northwest of Grande Miquelon to discover a nature reserve of great wealth. 

We cannot say what fascinates us the most in Cap Miquelon: its grandiose scenery composed of high cliffs overlooking the ocean or its colony of raptors (bald eagles, swd falcons …)? Certainly both.

But it is also possible to indulge in the joys of hiking on this desert peninsula. Peatlands, moors, boreal forest, cliffs… various curious landscapes will parade before your eyes during this nearly three-hour walk. 

The show’s highlight is undoubtedly the view of the Cormorandière valley, which is also one of the most picturesque places to see on the archipelago. 

On the bend of the road, you may see some foxes or white-tailed deer inhabiting the area in the distance.

8. The Cormorandière Valley

Visiting Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon means exploring unspoiled places and enjoying breathtaking views. If you still doubt it, this archipelago has an exceptional natural heritage!

In the cormorandière valley are two lakes where the white-tailed deer present on the island sometimes come to drink. The show is worth a visit. There’s a reason why islanders consider it “the most beautiful of the valleys.”

Île aux Marins

9. The panorama from the cemetery

You will reach the fascinating Île aux Marins from Saint-Pierre after only five minutes by boat. Time seems to have stopped on this wild islet. 

Once inhabited by nearly 600 people, including cod fishermen, the island has mainly become a place for walking.

There is now only a church and a few wooden houses remaining, which continue to be occupied during the good season, May through September. 

Two hours can be enough to go around this islet unless you want to enjoy the place’s unique atmosphere.” for a longer time.

10. The wreck of the Transpacific

Along the coast and Île aux Marins, the wreck of a ship lies on the beach. The name on the carcass indicates it is a Transpacific. This large German steam freighter was coming from the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 

It would have run aground off Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon during a storm on May 18, 1971. There were no injuries among the 11 passengers on board. 

The story goes that before leaving his ship for good, the captain organized a last and big dinner there. Residents of Saint-Pierre then came to collect the goods in the holds. 

Finally, the ship was set on fire to limit oil-related pollution. The nose of the Transpacific was brought back by the waves on Île aux Marins.

The wreck of the Transpacific is worth a look if you pass on Île aux Marins during your stay in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon.

All we have to do is wish you a wonderful trip to the islands of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon!