A European Informational Website
learn more
Samuel de Champlain , the "father of New France," was born around 1580 in the town of Brouage, a seaport on France's west coast. A sailor, he also came to be respected as a talented navigator, mapmaker, and founder of Quebec City. He was also integral in opening North America up to French trade, especially the fur trade. His influence is still felt in the presence of French Canadians in Quebec, where he did most of his exploring. Champlain's pattern was to spend several months or years exploring North America and then to head back to France to raise more funds for further explorations.