Samuel de Champlain

Samuel de Champlain was born in Brouage, France in 1567. His father was a navy captain; some claim Champlain descended from a noble family. As a young man, he fought against the Saint League, a Catholic confederation. It is said that he first traveled to the New World as part of a Spanish expedition.

He began sailing for France in 1603. He sailed on the Bonne Renommee, a 12-15 ton barque. He followed the same route as Jacques Cartier, stopping at the already established posts at Tadoussac, Stadacona, and Hochelaga. He surveyed the Tadoussac harbor, then charted the Saguenay River. The natives along this river would become important for establishing the fur trade in Canada. He continued up the St. Lawrence River until he reached the first of the Great Lakes. Natives described the outlying areas, which included the rest of the Lakes, the Detroit River, the Hudson Bay, and Niagara Falls. Having successfully charted much of the area and established burgeoning trading posts, he returned to France. During his stay in France, he published a book called Des Sauvages, which detailed the cultures of natives in America.

In 1604, he traveled to the region of Acadia (modern-day eastern Quebec and New England) to search for a passage to Asia. During this expedition, he set up a site on Sainte-Croix. He also explored much of New England. He returned to the St. Lawrence River in 1608. This became the official establishment of Quebec City. While the settlement developed, Champlain devoted some time to aiding the local native groups, the Algonquin, Huron, and the Montagnais, as they fought the Iroquois. Champlain continued exploring the St. Lawrence area throughout 1611. In 1612, he became the lieutenant-general of New France. Under his watch, French colonists were able to settle in the area permanently. He became the governor of New France from 1629-1635. He died of an illness in 1635.

Read more about the individual explorers:

Jacques Cartier | Samuel de Champlain | Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle

Find out about their watercraft:

How They Got There | Once They Arrived

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French Exploration