More about Saint-Pierre et Miquelon
Why Cruise to Saint-Pierre et Miquelon?
Authentic French island with great scenery and history.
Weather can be rainy, windy and foggy, hiding some of the beauty of the island.
No need to head all the way to France for a taste of France.
Saint-Pierre et Miquelon Cruise Port Facilities?
There are basically two options for docking here. Large ships will dock alongside the Deep Water Pier, which is just over a half-mile walk to the downtown area. When ships are in port, the tourism bureau offers music, French pastries, coffee and brochures. At the in-town pier, Roselys, cruisers are welcomed with maps and city info. Should there be the rare necessity for a tender, cruisers will arrive near the fishing sheds just a few blocks from downtown. They will also be welcomed by the tourism agency.
Good to Know?
SPM has about 140 days of rain per year, often accompanied by fog and wind; awareness is essential.
Also, keeping track of time with a cellphone can be risky. The proximity to another time zone means that the earlier time might be picked up, automatically resetting the clock on your phone. (This is more likely to happen on Ile aux Marins.) A manual phone time setting or a mechanical timepiece eliminates the confusion and reduces the possibility of missing the ship's all-aboard time.
Most shops close between noon and 2 p.m., although a few will remain open all day when ships are in port. Restaurants remain open for lunch. The tourism office (Place du General de Gaulle), in addition to the aforementioned complimentary French pastries and coffee, offers free Wi-Fi and information about the island, including menus from restaurants.
Getting Around?
On Foot: Saint-Pierre is quite compact and the downtown area is easily walkable.
By Taxi: Taxis are available and cost 5 euros within the downtown area and 7 euros beyond.
By Ferry: To reach Ile aux Marins, the ferry is the only option. (The ferry company, BPE desserte, is at 12, rue Pierre Perrin, near the tourism bureau.)
By Shuttle: Some cruise lines offer shuttles, cost varies by ship.
Currency & Best Way to Get Money?
As in France, the currency on SPM is the euro. There are three ATMs in the downtown area of Saint-Pierre. The local bank does NOT exchange money. Although a few merchants accept Canadian -- and even fewer, American -- dollars, it's best to carry euros or use a credit card. Mastercard and Visa are accepted; American Express and debit cards are not.
Language?
Being part of France, the local language in Saint-Pierre et Michelon is French. Some people also speak English.
