Eight small islands clinging to the edge of Newfoundland's Grand Banks, where French tricolors snap in relentless Atlantic winds. Saint-Pierre feels like a Breton fishing village transplanted to the New World — colorful wooden houses, French bakeries, and the persistent smell of salt air. Miquelon stretches longer and wilder, connected by a narrow sandy isthmus.
The fog rolls in thick and frequent, wrapping the islands in gray mystery for days at a time. When it lifts, you'll find dramatic coastal walks, surprisingly good French wine and cheese, and locals who speak French with a distinctly North American lilt. Getting here requires planning — flights from Halifax or St. John's, or summer ferries from Newfoundland when the weather cooperates.