Miquelon: The Hidden Gem of the North Atlantic

• HelloBonjour
  [Bon-zhoor]
• GoodbyeAu revoir
  [Oh reh-vwar]
• YesOui
  [Wee]
• NoNon
  [Non]
• Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît
  [Seel voo pleh]
• Thank youMerci
  [Mehr-see]
• Excuse me/SorryPardon
  [Par-dohn]
• How are you?Comment ça va?
  [Koh-mohn 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-prahnd 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 mahnzh pah duh vyand]
• Cheers!Santé!
  [Sahn-tay]
• I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît
  [Zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]

• Help!Au secours!
  [Oh seh-koor]
• Go away!Allez-vous en!
  [Ah-lay voo ahn]
• Call the Police!Appelez la police!
  [Ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
• Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin!
  [Ah-peh-lay uh may-deh-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-shet-ay]
• I'm just lookingJe regarde juste
  [Zhuh ruh-gard zhuhst]
• 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-vay voo bay-say luh pree]

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

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

Long before European explorers arrived, the islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon were inhabited by Indigenous peoples, likely the Mi'kmaq. Their presence is evidenced by archaeological findings, including tools and remnants of their settlements. These early inhabitants relied heavily on the rich marine life for sustenance.

The islands were first recorded by European explorers in 1520 when Portuguese sailor João Álvares Fagundes charted them. However, it was the French who established the first permanent settlements in the 17th century, using the islands primarily as a base for cod fishing.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, Miquelon became a critical hub for the cod fishing industry. French fishermen from Brittany and Normandy flocked to the islands, setting up seasonal fishing camps. This period saw the construction of numerous fishing stages, salting houses, and drying racks.

Saint Pierre and Miquelon changed hands multiple times between the French and the British from the late 17th century through the early 19th century. The islands were ceded to the British in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, returned to France in 1763, and briefly occupied by the British again during the Napoleonic Wars.

During the American Prohibition era (1920-1933), Saint Pierre and Miquelon played a significant role in the smuggling of alcohol into the United States. The islands' economy boomed as warehouses filled with Canadian whiskey, French wine, and other spirits awaiting clandestine transport to the U.S. mainland.

In 1941, during World War II, the islands were a point of contention between Vichy France and Free France. Admiral Émile Muselier, leading Free French naval forces, took control of the islands, aligning them with Charles de Gaulle's Free French government. This move was critical for de Gaulle's legitimacy.

Post-World War II, Saint Pierre and Miquelon faced economic challenges as the cod fishing industry declined. The islands have since diversified their economy, focusing on tourism, fish farming, and the service sector. The islands remain a unique blend of French and North American cultures, preserving their rich history while adapting to modern realities.

Miquelon is part of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago located in the North Atlantic Ocean. The most common way to reach Miquelon is by taking a flight from Canada. Air Saint-Pierre offers regular flights from St. John's, Halifax, and Montreal to Saint-Pierre, the main island. From Saint-Pierre, you can take a ferry to Miquelon, which operates multiple times a week. Alternatively, during the summer months, there are direct ferry services from Fortune, Newfoundland to Saint-Pierre.

Miquelon is a small island, making it easy to explore on foot or by bicycle. For those preferring motorized transport, rental cars and taxis are available. There is a limited public transport system, so renting a car might be the best option for exploring the island at your own pace. Additionally, guided tours are available for those looking to learn more about the island's history and natural beauty.

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 recommended to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are available on the island, but it is advisable to withdraw sufficient cash beforehand to avoid any inconvenience.

Miquelon is generally a safe destination with low crime rates. However, standard safety precautions should still be observed. Avoid walking alone at night in secluded areas and keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places. There are no specific high-crime areas targeting tourists, but it is always best to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings.

In case of emergency, dial 17 for police assistance, 18 for fire services, and 15 for medical emergencies. The island has a medical center to handle health issues, but for severe cases, transfers to Saint-Pierre or even Canada might be necessary. It is recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatriation.

Fashion: Do dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather. Layers are recommended due to the island's variable climate. Religion: Do respect local customs and traditions; while Miquelon is not particularly religious, modest clothing is appreciated in certain settings. Public Transport: Do be courteous to drivers and fellow passengers; public transport is limited, so plan accordingly. Greetings: Do greet locals with a friendly 'Bonjour' and a handshake. Eating & Drinking: Do try local seafood and traditional dishes. Don’t refuse hospitality, as it is considered impolite.

To experience Miquelon like a local, visit the local markets and try the fresh seafood. Engage with the island's residents, who are known for their friendliness and willingness to share stories about their unique way of life. Don’t miss out on exploring the island’s natural beauty, including its beaches, hiking trails, and bird-watching spots. For a unique experience, attend local festivals and events, which provide insight into the island's culture and traditions.