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Looking for travel information on St. Pierre? Due to numerous requests for tour information on St. Pierre et Miquelon, our school has decided to post some basic information.

Point and click to the following sections for more information:
The Islands || Accomodations || Ferry Rates || Day Excursions || Reservations

THE ISLANDS
St. Pierre and Miquleon is a small archipelago lying a few miles off the south coast of Newfoundland. Portuguese explorer Joa Alvarez Fagundes discovered the islands in the 1500s. On Cartier's second voyage to the St. Lawrence River colonies, he stopped at St. Pierre and claimed the archipelago in the name of the King of France.

After the Seven Years War, France was forced to relinguish her claim to the St. Lawrence River colonies, and Cape Breton Island. St. Pierre and Miquleon was returned to France by the signatories of the Treaty of Paris in 1763. The English had occupied the islands since 1713.

France had awarded the islands to shelter their fishing vessels, but rivalry over fishing brought St. Pierre fishermen in constant conflict with their Newfoundland neighbors. As a result, the islands changed ownership on several occasions and it wasn't until 1815 that the islands remained in French hands permanently. The islands have long been a French colony, later an overseas territory, and now a Collective Territoriale.

The islands have a colorful history, much of it associated with its fishing heritage, its hundreds of shipwrecks that were scattered all around the rocky shores. On the other hand, the islands gained prominence when the great prohibition experiement took place in North America. St.Pierre became a huge offshore base where the Canadian distillers warehoused huge stocks of Canadian distilled whiskies which were legally exported to St. Pierre. The American rum-runners purchased up to 300,000 cases per month from the St. Pierre facility.

Further information on the islands may be obtained from the St. Pierre Tourism Board at 1-800-565-5118.

ACCOMODATIONS
There are various accomodation options on visiting St. Pierre-et-Miquelon ranging from bread and breakfast to hotels / motels. St. Pierre Tours Ltd. / Lake's Travel Ltd. offer vacation packages at the Hotel Neptune; the Hotel / Motel Robert; and the Dupont B & B. As well, they offer you a selection of other hotels and B & B's. Please inquire. For those who have a car and wish to drive to Fortune to connect with the ferry and stay at Hotel Neptune or the Hotel / Motel Robert, or other selected accomodations, here is a sample Vacation Package rate as outlined in their brochure. A Vacation Package includes return ferry from Fortune to St. Pierre; accomodations for a one night stay; and a continental breakfast each morning. Prices are in Canadian dollars. For more specific details, call one of the agents.

1 Person

2 Person

3 Person

4 Person
Hotel Robert

1 Night - $176.00

1 Night - $129.00

1 Night - $117.00

1 Night - $112.00
Hotel Neptune

1 Night - $193.00

1 Night - $143.00

1 Night - $127.00

1 Night - $119.00
Dupont
B & B

1 Night - $130.00
B & B

1 Night - $153.00

1 Night - $111.00

1 Night - $107.00

1 Night - $103.00

FERRY RATES
There are daily crossings in season. For departure times contact St. Pierre Tours Ltd. / Lake's Travel Ltd. in Fortune. Prices are subject to change. HST is not applicable.

Adult

Children (2-11 years)

Children (under 2)
Return

$67.95

$33.50

No Charge
One Way

$43.95

$20.95

No Charge

DAY EXCURSIONS
For those with limited time, there are day excursions available from Fortune. The M/V Arethusa operates the day trips. It is an excursion vessel that will cross to the island in 1 hour and 35 minutes. St. Pierre time is 30 minutes ahead of Newfoundland time. You will arrive in mid-morning. It is best to visit stores on arrival and take the island in the afternoon. Please note that stores close from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. and some stores are closed on Saturday afternoon. The ferry departs for Newfoundland at 3:15 p.m. St. Pierre time. You will be back in Fortune around 4:30 p.m. Visitors on day trips must pay duty on goods purchased upon re-entry in Fortune. Please check with Canada Customs in Fortune prior to departure for applicable duty rates. (Accomodations are available in Fortune.)

RESERVATIONS

Lake's Travel Ltd.
P.O.Box 158
Fortune, NF AOE 1PO
(709) 832-2006

St. Pierre Tours Ltd.
5 Bayview Street
Fortune, NF AOE 1PO
(709) 832-0429

Toll Free
1 - 800 - 563-2006
Your Travel Agent

Please note that being a part of France, there is a requirement for Customs / Immigration inspection both in St. Pierre and upon your return to Fortune, Newfoundland. Immigration requires a passport, driver's licence, birth certificate, or another form of identification preferably with a picture. Visas are not required for citizens of Canada or the United States.