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SPM
Landmarks & Monuments
When going
to Saint-Pierre & Miquelon, make sure you pack your camera!
The local flavor and exceptional beauty of Saint-Pierre &
Miquelon, combined with the unique and original landscape
of the surrounding islands provide extraordinary subject
matter for enthusiasts and professional
photographers alike.
Saint-Pierre | Miquelon | Ile
aux Marins | Langlade
Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre
Cathedral - Map E3 (1)
The original
Saint-Pierre Cathedral had been burned
to the ground during the 1902 fire. It was rebuilt
between 1905 and 1907 and is located on the same
land as Saint-Pierre's original church from 1690.
Saint-Pierre's Cathedral was built in the style of Basque
churches with the featured upper galleries with stain glass
windows close to 100 years old;
with the exception of those located in the transept.
These windows were a gift from General Charles de Gaulle
and unveiled during his visit in 1967.
The
steeple was
rebuilt in 1975 with sandstone from Alsace, France and
rhyolite from Saint-Pierre.
Please
remember to show respect when visiting, as while the cathedral
is a local landmark it still functions as a place of worship.
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Pointe
aux Canons Lighthouse - Map
F3 (4)
When
entering the harbour you will see the most distinctive
landmark of Saint-Pierre. Painted
in bright red and white colors is the beloved Pointe
aux Canons Lighthouse.
A navigational beacon for ships large and small, this
automated lighthouse is not open to the
general public but is located at the end of an accessible
jetty for picture-takers and scenic drawing. When at
the lighthouse, look for the upright canon which dates
back to the Crimean War.
Pointe
aux Canons Battery - Map
E3 - F3 (5)
The
Pointe aux Canons Battery is located just before
the jetty to the lighthouse on the site of a much older
fort that defended the Saint-Pierre & Miquelon islands
during the British raids of 1690-1713.
During the
19th century, this modern battery was established as
a precautionary measure during the Crimean War.
Les
Salines Fishing
Stations - Map F2 - F3
(6)
Just
a few feet from the Pointe aux Canons lighthouse, the
Les Salines or Fishing Stations were
built by the Saint-Pierre & Miquelon Government
and house the massive equipment of inshore fishermen.
The Les Salines are colourful and
unique way of illustrating the a very important
aspect of decades old economic life of the local fishing
culture.
Galantry
Lighthouse
Situated
on the South-East side of the Saint-Pierre island,
this Galantry
Lighthouse built in the 1970's replaces the original
Galantry Lighthouse from the 1800s.
The original Galantry was
built atop Galantry Hill, which aviation authorities
declared dangerous for approaching aircraft. It
was demolished in 1978 much to the regret of the islanders.
The new Galantry Lighthouse is a modern lighthouse
and can be seen from at least 20 miles away. The
frequently used Fog Horn is one of the beloved sounds
of the town which tourists look forward to hearing
on their visits to Saint-Pierre.
Saint-Pierre
Post Office - Map D4 -
E4 (2)
The
Alsatian style of architecture was brought to Saint-Pierre
in the early
decades of the 20th century. Shaped
like a praying monk, the Saint-Pierre Post Office clock
tower looks over the General de Gaulle
square.
The Saint-Pierre Post Office is open to the general
public during regular business hours.
General
Charles de Gaulle Square - Map
D4 - E4
Located
near the inner harbour of Saint-Pierre, the General
Charles de Gaulle Square is
where the French Tricolor is
raised on Bastille Day.
General
Charles de Gaulle Square is the center of festivity
on Bastille Day with music, games, food and wine
and a view of the Atlantic ocean that canot be beat.
Several
landmarks within the squarare of interest such as the
Old Fountain and the Gazebo.
Fronton
"Zazpiak Bat" - Map
D2 - E2 (10)
Since
many Saint-Pierrais and Miquelonnais are of Basque
Heritage, Basque tradtions abound adding to the local
flavor.
A type of handball
called Pelote basque, a traditional Basque sport,
is played against this massive outdoor wall.
Zazpiak Bat is Basque for "The Seven Make One",
this refers to the seven
Basque Provinces located in Spain: Alava,
Guipuzkoa, Navarra, Biscaya;
and France: Basse Navarre, Soule and Labourd.
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The
Government District - Map
D3
Built
around the Church Square
named after Bishop François
Maurer are the Judicial,
Political and Administrative buildings
of Saint-Pierre. They
are the Palais de Justice or Courthouse,
the Conseil Général which houses
the local parliament and the Préfecture or
Governor's Offices. Saint-Pierre & Miquelon are a Collectivité Territoriale
de la République, this means the local government
has a large measure of autonomy on issues including but
not limited to natural resources, taxation and custom
duties. These buildings are not open to the general public.
Saint-Pierre
Cemetary - Map A4 - B4
(8)
This is Saint-Pierre's fourth cemetary.
Located on a gentle slope, thousands of monuments are
built above ground in a style unique in North America.
The Cemetary is open at all times.
Please
show respect when visiting.
The
Cross - Map C3 (9)
Built
on a hill at the heart of the town, the Calvaire Cross
is a powerful reminder of Saint-Pierre & Miquelon's catholic
heritage.
You can
walk to this site quite easily and the hill gives you a
great vantage point over Saint-Pierre.
The
War Memorial - Map C4
(7)
Situated behind the Musée
Archives, the War Memorial is a testiment to the
sacrifice that was made by the islanders in two world
wars. While
France was occupied by German troops after 1940, these
islands were liberated by the Free French Forces of General
de Gaulle in december 1941, an event described at the
times as the "Best Christmas Present" by the
New York Times. The War Memorial is open at all times.
The
Fort - Map B3 (12)
Build during World War II as a surveillance
outpost, this old concrete ditch is all that remains
of the fortifications that were undertook by the Free
French Forces of General de Gaulle.
The
Lebailly Blacksmith Shop - Map
D2
Saint-Pierre last remaining
Blacksmith Shop in Saint-Pierre is not yet open to the
public but makes for great outdoor photography. The unique
collection of tools will be restored for the benefit
of future enthusiasts.
The
Cutty Sark Villa
Built exclusively with panels of
wood from Cutty Sark Whiskey Crates, this villa is a
landmark from the era of American Prohibition. This building
is privately owned and not open to the public. Tour operators
will point it out during excursions.
Miquelon
The
Town of Miquelon - Map
Miquelon
is a town of 700 inhabitants who's history and culture
is intertwined with that of Acadia. Shortly after
the Acadian deportation of 1755, hundreds of Acadian
families sought refuge here. Today, the town of Miquelon
is proud of its heritage, natural landmarks and history.
The
Church - Map C4 (1)
Miquelon's
wooden church is a beautiful traditional building with
many old artifacts. The Church is open at limited times.
Please
show respect when visiting, this is a place of worship.
The
Lighthouse - Map A4 (4)
On
the Western side of Miquelon town, the Phare du Cap Blanc
is another active navigating beacon built atop a granite
hill.
The
Cemetary - Map B4 -
C4 (3)
Miquelon's
Cemetary
is where the Baroness de l'Espérance
was buried
in the late 18th century. The Cemetary is open at all
times. Please show respect when visiting.
The
Cap
The northermost
point of the island of Miquelon, is know as the Cap.
The breathtaking scenery is only surpassed by incredible
diversity of wildlife.
The Grand
Barachois
On the
southern shore of Miquelon, the Grand Barachois is an exceptional
lagoon because of its size and because of the diversity of
wildlife present.
Ile
aux Marins
The
Church - Map B5 (1)
Notre
Dame des Marins is the dominant building on this small
island. Built in 1874, it is still used for special services.
Access
is limited to Guided Tours. Please show respect when visiting.
The
Transpacific Shipwreck - Map
C4 (7)
On the
North-East side of the island, the Transpacific Hull shifts
every year due to strong gale winds and winter storms.
This sculpture of rusted iron is visible for miles and
makes for wonderful photography.
The
Battery - Map B3 (4)
On the
North-West side of the island, this battery was built at
the same time as the Pointe aux Canons battery.
The
Cemetary - Map B6 (8)
Much
older than Saint-Pierre's cemetary, Ile aux Marin Cemetary
is picturesque. The Cemetary is open at all times.
Please
show respect when visiting.
Langlade
Wildlife
and geology
Langlade
is the most geologically diverse of all the islands. Steep
cliffs, small forests and wildlife are abundant on Langlade.
The
Chapel.
Langlade's
lone Chapel is used by cottagers and visitors alike.
The Chapel is open at very limited times. Please show
respect when visiting, this is a place of worship.
The
Lighthouse.
Le
Phare de la
Pointe Plate is
the most inacessible
lighthouse
of the islands.
A 20 mile hike
along the western
side of Langlade will get you to an isolated craggy
shore.
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