Ile aux Marins: The Enchanting Island of Sailors

• HelloBonjour
  [Bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [Oh re-vwar]
• YesOui
  [Wee]
• NoNon
  [Non]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [See voo pleh / Deu ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [Mer-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi / Désolé
  [Ex-kew-zay mwa / Day-zo-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [Koh-mon sah vah?]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi?
  [Byen. Ay twah?]
• Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?
  [Par-lay voo ahn-glay?]
• I don't understandJe ne comprends pas
  [Zhuh nuh kohm-prahn pah]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kart, see voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [Zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vee-and]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [Sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, see voo pleh]

• Help!À l'aide!
  [Ah layd]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [Al-lay voo on]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [Ah-puh-lay lah po-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [Ah-puh-lay uh med-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu
  [Zhuh swee pair-doo]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [Zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [Zhuh voo-dray ah-shuh-tay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [Zhuh ruh-gard jwe-st]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [Kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [Say troh shay]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [Poo-vay voo beh-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [Kell ur eh-teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [Eel eh tew-nyuh]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [Dee-zeur ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [Mah-tan]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [Ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [Swah]
• YesterdayHier
  [Yehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [Oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [Duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [Ewn]
• 2Deux
  [Deu]
• 3Trois
  [Twa]
• 4Quatre
  [Kat]
• 5Cinq
  [Sank]
• 6Six
  [Sees]
• 7Sept
  [Set]
• 8Huit
  [Weet]
• 9Neuf
  [Nuff]
• 10Dix
  [Deeze]

• Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?
  [Oo eh luh/lah]
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  [Kell eh lah-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [Poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [Kond eh luh proh-shan (bus)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)
  [Ewn bee-yay (poor)]

Ile aux Marins, originally named Île-aux-Chiens, has been inhabited since the 17th century. The island served as a seasonal fishing base for French and Basque fishermen who were attracted by the abundant cod stocks in the nearby waters.

During the 19th and early 20th centuries, Ile aux Marins became a bustling hub for the fishing industry. The island's population swelled as fishermen and their families settled there. The community thrived thanks to the rich fishing grounds, and the island was dotted with fish processing plants, homes, and businesses that catered to the fishing trade.

Built in 1874, the Church of Notre-Dame-des-Marins is one of the most iconic landmarks on the island. This wooden church, with its striking spire, served as the spiritual heart of the community. It stands as a testament to the island's vibrant past and the importance of faith in the daily lives of its inhabitants.

By the mid-20th century, advancements in fishing technology and the depletion of fish stocks led to a decline in the island's population. Many residents moved to the larger island of Saint Pierre or emigrated to mainland France and Canada, seeking better economic opportunities. By the 1960s, Ile aux Marins was largely abandoned.

In recent decades, efforts have been made to preserve the cultural and historical heritage of Ile aux Marins. Many of the island's buildings have been restored, and the island now serves as an open-air museum. Tourists can explore the well-preserved homes, the church, and other historical structures, gaining insight into the island's storied past.

During the Prohibition era in the United States (1920-1933), Saint Pierre and Miquelon, including Ile aux Marins, became a significant hub for smuggling alcohol into the US. The archipelago's strategic location and the lax enforcement of alcohol laws made it an ideal staging ground for rum-runners.

The lighthouse, built in 1870, served as a crucial navigational aid for ships in the treacherous waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon. It stands as a symbol of the island's maritime heritage and the crucial role it played in ensuring the safety of vessels navigating these waters.

Today, Ile aux Marins is the site of various cultural festivals and events that celebrate the island's rich heritage. These events, often held during the summer months, attract visitors from around the world and help keep the island's traditions alive.

Ile aux Marins is located in the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, just off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada. The most common way to reach Ile aux Marins is by taking a ferry from the main island of Saint Pierre. Ferries operate regularly during the summer months and less frequently in the off-season. It is also possible to arrange private boat transfers. Saint Pierre can be reached by air through flights from Montreal, Halifax, or St. John's to Saint Pierre Airport (FSP).

Ile aux Marins is a small island and is best explored on foot. There are no cars or public transportation services on the island, so visitors should be prepared for a lot of walking. Comfortable footwear is recommended. For those who require assistance, it is possible to arrange for a guided tour.

The official currency in Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are accepted in some establishments, but it is advisable to carry cash as many small businesses on Ile aux Marins may not accept cards. There are no ATMs on Ile aux Marins, so be sure to withdraw enough cash in Saint Pierre before traveling to the island.

Ile aux Marins is generally a very safe destination with low crime rates. However, as with any travel destination, visitors should take standard precautions. Keep an eye on personal belongings and avoid isolated areas after dark. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists on Ile aux Marins.

In case of emergency, dial 17 for police or 15 for medical emergencies. There are no medical facilities on Ile aux Marins, so any serious medical issues will require transport back to Saint Pierre. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health concerns, carry a basic first aid kit.

Fashion: Do wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers as the weather can change quickly. Avoid overly flashy clothing. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions when visiting religious sites. Public Transport: There is no public transport on Ile aux Marins, so be prepared to walk. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour'. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood delicacies and drink responsibly. Don't litter; always dispose of trash properly.

To experience Ile aux Marins like a local, take a guided tour to learn about the island's history and its former residents. Visit the Archipelitude Museum to gain insight into the island's past. Engage with the local guides and ask questions; they are often very knowledgeable and passionate about the island. Don't miss the beautiful views from the island's lighthouse.