The History and Culture of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, France’s North American Territory

Sun, 03 May 2026 08:52:00 +0200

Saint Pierre and Miquelon is a small French territory off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, home to about 6,000 people. Unlike Newfoundland, which joined Canada in 1948, these islands remained French, preserving a unique cultural and historical identity. The unofficial local flag, featuring a ship and three regional French flags, represents the origins of early settlers: Basques, Normans, and Bretons. The islands' history reflects European power struggles in North America, switching between French and British control until France’s sovereignty was firmly established in 1815. Today, the economy relies on fishing, limited exports, tourism, and subsidies from France, while climate change and rising sea levels are prompting relocation efforts. The islands maintain distinctive French dialects and expressions, and transport to the mainland mainly occurs via ferries or seasonal flights to Saint Pierre. Despite their small size, the territory maintains its own airline and cultural traditions,