St. Lunaire-Griquet is a charming town nestled in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Located near the northern tip of the Great Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, this town is a hidden gem with a rich history and vibrant culture. As per the Canada 2021 Census, the town is home to 603 residents.
The history of St. Lunaire-Griquet dates back to the 16th century when French fishermen began fishing in the region. The St. Lunaire bay, however, was not mapped until 1784 by the French sailor Liberge de Granchain. An island in the mouth of St. Lunaire bay still bears his namesake. Remnants of ancient French fishing activity can be observed in the remains of old French bread ovens on Granchain Island. The town's name may have been derived from Saint-Lunaire in Brittany, named after Saint Leonorus.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, St. Lunaire-Griquet had a population of 603 living in 258 of its 302 total private dwellings. This represented a slight change of -0.2% from its 2016 population of 604. With a land area of 17.29 km2 (6.68 sq mi), the town had a population density of 34.9/km2 (90.3/sq mi) in 2021.
St. Lunaire-Griquet is a cultural hub with several attractions. St. Monica's Church, a wooden Roman Catholic church with a small flèche instead of a spire, stands opposite the Town Hall on Main Street. A Memorial depicting strong community leaders and developers with colourful models of ships and lighthouses adorns Main Street.
The Wild Berry Economusée on route 436 is the world's only museum dedicated to the interpretation of wild berries. The town also includes a small hotel, convenient for visitors of L'Anse aux Meadows. A lookout provides a breathtaking view of the entire town and the ocean, accessible via a wooden staircase located just behind the school off of Main Street.
In July, visitors can observe icebergs making their way towards Newfoundland shores, as the town is one of the most Northern locations of "Ice Berg Alley". St. Lunaire-Griquet is one of the few remaining areas that culturally seal hunt out of necessity for many of its residents. It is one of the northernmost points on the island of Newfoundland, birthed as a fishing community and remains highly influenced as such to this day.
St. Lunaire-Griquet is just 10 km from the UNESCO World Heritage site of L'Anse aux Meadows, making it a perfect base for exploring the region's rich history and culture.
