Saint-Pierre By Foot

OVERVIEW

Take a leisurely walk through Saint-Pierre, starting at the harbor, an area settled in the 17th century around cod fishing, which flourished for next 200 years. Named for Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen, Saint-Pierre has the look and feel of a rural French town. It's only natural as the teeny islands of Saint-Pierre and neighboring Miquelon comprise the last remaining French territory in North America. The official language is French, not Canadian French, and many of the streets and squares are named for French notables such as Jacques Cartier, Louis Pasteur and President Charles de Gaulle, who visited in 1967. Your walking tour will end at the Arche Museum, where you may take a self-guided tour or simply drop in to see the French guillotine. It was used once in 1889 and the townspeople were supposedly so horrified by the execution that the guillotine was retired.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk around Saint-Pierre, taking in the rural French village ambiance.
• Notice the French influence in the architecture, street names and even outdoor games.
• See the cathedral’s stained-glass windows that French President Charles de Gaulle donated.
• Discover how American bootleggers operated in Saint-Pierre during Prohibition.
• Browse the Arche Museum on your own, where you might see a French guillotine.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.