Langlade: The Hidden Gem of Saint Pierre and Miquelon

• HelloBonjour
  [bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [oh ruh-vwahr]
• YesOui
  [wee]
• NoNon
  [nohn]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît / De rien
  [seel voo pleh / deh ryen]
• Thank youMerci
  [mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi / Désolé
  [ehk-sew-zay-mwah / day-zoh-lay]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [koh-mahn sah vah]
• Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?
  [byen. ay voo]
• 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 le menu, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray vwahr luh men-oo, seel voo pleh]
• I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande
  [zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vee-ahnd]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [zhuh voo-dray pay-yay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [oh seh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [ah-lay vooz ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la Police!
  [ah-peh-lay lah Poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [ah-peh-lay uh mayd-sahn]
• I'm lostJe suis perdu(e)
  [zhuh swee pair-doo(eh)]
• I'm illJe suis malade
  [zhuh swee mah-lahd]

• I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...
  [zhuh voo-dray zah-shay...]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [zhuh ruh-gahrd juhst]
• How much is it?Combien ça coûte?
  [kohm-byen sah koot]
• That's too expensiveC'est trop cher
  [say troh shair]
• Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?
  [poo-veh voo beh-say luh pree]

• What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?
  [kehl uhr ay teel]
• It's one o'clockIl est une heure
  [eel ay oon uhr]
• Half past (10)Dix heures et demie
  [dees uhr ay duh-mee]
• MorningMatin
  [mah-tahn]
• AfternoonAprès-midi
  [ah-pray mee-dee]
• EveningSoir
  [swahr]
• YesterdayHier
  [ee-ehr]
• TodayAujourd'hui
  [oh-zhoor-dwee]
• TomorrowDemain
  [duh-mahn]
• 1Un
  [uhn]
• 2Deux
  [duh]
• 3Trois
  [twah]
• 4Quatre
  [kah-truh]
• 5Cinq
  [sank]
• 6Six
  [sees]
• 7Sept
  [sept]
• 8Huit
  [weet]
• 9Neuf
  [nuhf]
• 10Dix
  [dees]

• Where's a/the...?Où est...?
  [oo ay]
• What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?
  [kehl ay la-dress]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?
  [poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
• When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?
  [kahnd ay luh proh-shahn (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ...)
  [uhn bee-yay (poor)]

Long before European explorers set foot on Langlade, the island was frequented by Indigenous peoples, primarily the Mi'kmaq. These early inhabitants used the island as a seasonal hunting and fishing ground. Evidence of their presence includes various artifacts such as tools and pottery fragments found scattered around the island.

Langlade, along with the rest of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, was claimed by France in the early 17th century. The French settlers utilized the island's rich fishing grounds, establishing seasonal settlements. The Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 briefly transferred control to the British, but the islands were returned to France in 1763 after the Treaty of Paris.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Langlade's economy flourished due to the abundant cod fishing opportunities. The island became a hub for fishermen from France and the Basque Country. Fishing stations and salting facilities were established to process the catches before shipping them to Europe. This period marked a significant population increase and economic development.

The Prohibition era in the United States from 1920 to 1933 had a substantial impact on Langlade. The island became a key transit point for smuggling alcohol into the United States. Bootleggers used the island as a staging ground for their operations, bringing economic benefits to the local population through the influx of goods and money.

During World War II, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, including Langlade, became strategically important due to their location in the North Atlantic. The islands were under Vichy French control until December 1941, when Free French forces took over. The islands served as a base for monitoring German U-boat activities in the Atlantic.

After World War II, Langlade underwent significant modernization. Infrastructure improvements included the construction of roads and the establishment of better communication networks. The island's economy diversified slightly, though fishing remained a primary industry. Efforts were also made to boost tourism, highlighting Langlade's natural beauty and historical significance.

Langlade's culture is a unique blend of French and North American influences. Traditional festivals, such as Bastille Day, are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The island's cuisine is heavily influenced by French culinary traditions, with a focus on seafood. Local music and dance also reflect the island's rich cultural heritage, with events often featuring folk songs and dances passed down through generations.

Langlade is part of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, located south of the Canadian island of Newfoundland. The most common way to reach Langlade is by taking a ferry from Saint-Pierre. The ferry service operates regularly during the summer months. Alternatively, there are flights available from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and St. John's, Newfoundland, to Saint-Pierre Airport (FSP). From Saint-Pierre, visitors can take a ferry to Langlade.

Langlade does not have a public transportation system, so visitors typically rely on taxis, rental cars, or bicycles to get around. The island is relatively small, making it easy to explore by bike or on foot. For trips to nearby islands or more remote areas, consider renting a car or arranging for a taxi service. Ferries are available for travel between the islands in the archipelago.

The official currency of Saint Pierre and Miquelon is the Euro (EUR). Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and remote areas. ATMs are available in Saint-Pierre, but it is recommended to withdraw sufficient cash before heading to Langlade.

Langlade is generally a very safe destination for tourists. Crime rates are low, and the local community is friendly and welcoming. However, it is always prudent to take standard precautions such as keeping an eye on personal belongings and avoiding solitary walks at night in unfamiliar areas. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists.

In case of emergency, dial 17 for police, 18 for fire services, and 15 for medical emergencies. The local authorities and medical facilities are well-equipped to handle emergencies. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies. For minor health issues, there are pharmacies where you can purchase over-the-counter medications.

Fashion: Do dress in layers, as the weather can be unpredictable. Avoid overly casual or revealing clothing when visiting religious sites. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions. When visiting churches, dress modestly and remove hats. Public Transport: Do be courteous and follow local etiquette. Public transport is limited, so private arrangements are often necessary. Greetings: Do greet people with a friendly 'Bonjour'. A handshake is a common greeting. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood and traditional dishes. Don't refuse food or drink offerings, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Langlade like a local, visit the small family-owned eateries and try freshly caught seafood. Engage with locals, who are often eager to share stories about the island's history and culture. Explore the scenic trails and beaches, and don't miss the opportunity to visit the unique landscape of the Grand Barachois lagoon, home to a large colony of seals. Participating in local festivals and events can also provide a deeper understanding of the community's way of life.