The islands have only two main sources of income:  fishing (la pêche) and tourism.  During the years of prohibition in the United States the two islands prospered.  Residents brought wines (les vins) and champagne from France and sold them to American smugglers who took them back to the U.S.A.  There, the liquor was resold, at enormous prices, to Americans who were forbidden from obtaining it legally in their own country!  After prohibition ended the two islands faded in importance on the world stage.

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about these islands is that they are miniatures of life in France.  The inhabitants of the islands speak French and live in towns which look like French fishing villages with their twisted streets and old stone homes.  Best of all, the food is true French cuisine:  bouillabaisse (fish soup), French bread (le pain français) and beautiful rich sauces.  Almost all foods and manufactured goods have to be imported since the land is too rugged to support much agriculture or industry.  There are next to no trees there!  Isn't it amazing that these two islands, just 24 km off the coast of Canada, could belong to another country?