The island of Marins, situated near the Saint-Pierre port in the Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon archipelago, once had a population of between 600 and 700 people, mostly involved in cod fishing until the late 1800s. It was known as the Island of Dogs before 1931 and functioned as a supporting location for Saint-Pierre's fishing industry. The island is only inhabited during the summer months, roughly from May to September, after which the houses are left empty and no lights are visible in the evenings. Eight of the fourteen protected historical sites in the archipelago are located on the island of Marins, which is just a few minutes away from the port by boat. The island’s houses were renovated in the 1980s, and today they feature bright, colorful wooden facades. A former school now serves as a museum that opens alongside the church during the summer. The island’s heritage status underscores its significance, as more than half of Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon’s protected heritage is located on this small islet. Today, the island’s main purpose is to allow visitors to explore its history through its buildings, streets, and walls. Guided tours are available during the summer season, and sometimes a house on the island offers meals or snacks depending on the time of year. The island is only occupied during the good season, from May to September, after which it becomes quiet, with only the sounds of birds and the sea breaking the silence. The exact date when permanent year-round living on the island ended is not clearly recorded, but it is known that the island shifted from being an active port extension to a place inhabited only seasonally. For visitors, the best time to visit is during the same period when the island is occupied, from May to September. Outside of these months, the renovated houses remain closed. Population estimates vary, with some sources suggesting up to 700 residents, while others cite a lower number of 600.