French Explorers - Cartier, Champlain, and La Salle

While the English were concentrating on a northwest passage to Asia, the French King, Francois I commissioned Jacques Cartier (born in 1491) to find a way west to the Pacific and claim new lands for France. Cartier's expedition set sail from the port of St. Malo in [1534] with two ships.

After passing Newfoundland, Cartier discovered the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in present-day Canada. On his second voyage in 1535, Cartier with the help of Indian guides explored the St. Lawrence River and passed the future sites of present-day Quebec and Montreal. He sailed back to France in 1536 after he and his crew suffered from scurvy and extreme cold.

By 1541, King Francois was committed to settle in the new lands discovered by Cartier. With wars raging in Europe, the French eventually lost interest in the New World. But Frenchmen followed Cartier's route up the St. Lawrence to establish a lucrative trade network with the Indians. Cartier was followed by countrymen Samuel de Champlain and Sieur de La Salle.

Champlain established the first permanent settlement at Quebec, explored the St. Lawrence, the coasts of Nova Scotia, and Maine. He discovered Lake Champlain in New York and traveled as far north as Lake Huron.

La Salle wanted to establish French rule from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi Valley. He explored the Mississippi River and claimed the surrounding territory of Louisiana for France.