History of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, France

The first European encounter with Saint-Pierre and Miquelon was in 1520, by the Portuguese João Álvares Fagundes. They were made a French possession in 1536 by Jacques Cartier on behalf of the King of France.

wikipedia.org

By the early 1700s, the islands of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon were again uninhabited, and were ceded to the British by the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713.

wikipedia.org

Under the terms of the Treaty of Paris (1763), which put an end to the Seven Years' War, France ceded all its North American possessions, but Saint-Pierre and Miquelon were returned to France.

wikipedia.org

With France being allied with the Americans during the American Revolutionary War, Britain invaded and razed the colony of Saint Pierre and Miquelon in 1778, sending the entire population of 2,000 back to France

wikipedia.org

In 1793, the British landed in Saint-Pierre and, the following year, expelled the French population, and tried to install British settlers.

wikipedia.org

St Pierre and Miquelon - The British colony was in turn sacked by French troops in 1796. The Treaty of Amiens of 1802 returned the islands to France, but Britain reoccupied them when hostilities recommenced the next year.

wikipedia.org

St Pierre and Miquelon - The Treaty of Paris (1814) gave them back to France, though Britain occupied them yet again during the Hundred Days War.
France then reclaimed the then uninhabited islands in which all structures and buildings had been destroyed or fallen into disrepair. The islands were resettled in 1816. The settlers were mostly Basques, Bretons and Normans, who were joined by various other elements, particularly from the nearby island of Newfoundland.
wikipedia.org

1895 - Saint-Pierre
Saint Pierre, sáN" pe-air', an island of North America, off the S. coast of Newfoundland. The surface is rocky, and vegetation scanty. It forms, with the Miquelon Islands, immediately N.W., a colony belonging to France. It is crossed by 3 ocean telegraphs. Permanent pop. of colony, 4748, of whom 3473 were on St. Pierre, 776 on Miquelon and Langley, and 499 on Isle-aux-Chiens.

Saint Pierre, a town, capital of the French colony of St. Pierre and Miquelon, on the S.E. side of the island of St. Pierre. It is compactly built of stone, has a convent, a newspaper, and a good harbor, and is an important fishing station. Pop. 31.87.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

St Pierre and Miquelon - During the early 1910s, the colony suffered severely as a result of unprofitable fisheries, and large numbers of its people emigrated to Nova Scotia and Quebec.

wikipedia.org

Here's a list of places to go and things to do when you visit Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon:
Saint-Pierre: Start your journey in the capital, Saint-Pierre. It's a picturesque town with colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and a distinctly European feel. Take a leisurely stroll through the town to soak in the atmosphere and stop by the local bakeries for some delicious pastries.

Museum of the Basque Diaspora: Learn about the history of the Basque people and their influence in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon at this fascinating museum. The exhibits showcase the Basque culture, their whaling heritage, and their connection to the islands.

Ile aux Marins: This nearby island was once the main fishing hub of the region. It's now a living museum, offering a glimpse into the past with preserved houses, a church, and a school. You can reach Ile aux Marins by taking a short boat ride from Saint-Pierre.

Fortress of Saint-Pierre: Explore the historic Fortress of Saint-Pierre, which dates back to the 18th century. The fort provides stunning panoramic views of the town and the... Read MORE...

Discovering Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon: France's Hidden Gem in North America
When one thinks of France, images of Parisian cafes, the Mediterranean coast, or the rolling vineyards of Bordeaux often come to mind. However, there exists a little-known piece of France tucked away in North America, far from the bustling streets of Paris or the sunny beaches of the Côte d'Azur. Welcome to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a tiny archipelago located off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, and a true hidden gem waiting to be explored.

A Brief History
Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is composed of several islands, with the main ones being Saint-Pierre, Miquelon, and Langlade. The islands were first discovered by European explorers in the 16th century, and they have since been a point of contention between various European powers. Eventually, they came under French control in the early 17th century and have remained a part of France ever since, making them the last remnant of France's once-vast North American empire.

Getting There
Despite being a part of France, getting to... Read MORE...