Miquelon and Langlade

Miquelon and Langlade, the larger and wilder islands of the archipelago north of Saint-Pierre, offer a rugged, windswept natural escape far removed from town life. The two are joined by a remarkable feature, a long, narrow sandy isthmus of dunes and beaches, formed over centuries from countless shipwrecks, that links them across the sea. Beyond lie wild moorland, freshwater ponds, forests and dramatic coastlines rich in birdlife, where seals bask on the shores and whales pass offshore. The small village of Miquelon preserves its own quiet French-Acadian character. For lovers of raw, empty nature, wide beaches and windswept solitude, Miquelon and Langlade are a genuinely beautiful and unspoiled corner of the North Atlantic.

What you actually see

• The sandy isthmus - the great dune bar linking the islands.
• The wild beaches - the long, empty windswept shores.
• The seals and birds - the wildlife of the coast and ponds.
• Miquelon village - the quiet French-Acadian community.

When to go

June to September, the northern summer, is the mildest time for exploring the wild coast, dunes and beaches, when the weather is warmest and the wildlife most active; the islands are cold, foggy and windswept for much of the year. Summer offers the best conditions for nature and walking.

Honest expectations

Miquelon and Langlade are remote and wild, reached by ferry from Saint-Pierre and offering little in the way of facilities, so they suit lovers of raw nature, walking and solitude rather than those seeking comforts or crowds. As a rugged, unspoiled realm of dunes, wild beaches and abundant wildlife, though, Miquelon and Langlade are a genuinely beautiful North Atlantic escape.

Nearby

The town of Saint-Pierre lies to the south by ferry.