In the footsteps of Jacques Cartier : the second trip (2/3)

After discovering new lands, those in Canada, Jacques Cartier returned one year later to continue his mission. Will he find the way to Asia?

After discovering the Canadian coasts and Gaspésie, Jacques Cartier returned to France. But the Malian explorer has only one idea in mind: to leave again to sink a little more into the St. Lawrence River. As for us, our exploration is only at its beginning. We must quickly recover from all these emotions and discoveries, because the rest only opens beautiful things!

After following the footsteps of Jacques Cartier's first trip, it is time to leave in the footsteps of his second journey, whose route is totally dictated by the St.Lawrence. Ended the Atlantic coastline, we are on the way to the land in the heart of Quebec.

The gold rush of Saguenay

Remember: at the end of our first phase, Jacques Cartier and his crew left France with two hostages. Indeed, the browser set up two young Micmacs, including the son of Chief Donnaconna. This gesture is in no way a blood blow. Cartier has an idea behind the head: to teach them French so that they tell him where the riches of these lands are.

And the least we can say is that his plan works perfectly, since the young Amerindians will tell him of a land filled with precious stones and gold. A kingdom called Saguenay.

This information will obviously be transmitted to King François I, who does not need to hear more of it to give the Breton green light. However, the preparation of this second trip differs from the first. Onboard resources are much more numerous. We don’t talk about a 4-month trip... but a year!

Thus, on May 29, 1535, three ships ("L'Émerillon", "La grande Hermine" and "La petite Hermine") left the port of Saint-Malo. On September 14, the crew was already able to return to the footsteps of the first trip, mainly Anticosti Island and Gaspésie. Nevertheless, there is no question of wasting time for our explorer, who finds himself in the waters of the St.Lawrence.

Hochelaga and the Northern Winter

Amerindian anxiety

This is where our journey continues. For this second part, we are in the middle of the province of Quebec (on the first lands of New France) where we will go along the river. The opportunity to discover new fantastic landscapes. So that stopping everywhere would take years.

That is why we made the choice to make you live the most beautiful stopovers of this journey. At the end of the summer of 1535, Cartier decided to pursue his sword. The goal? Go as far as possible. The Malouin knows that it is on a river, and so it will be easy to spot. The first stopover, he chose to do it in Stadaconé. If the name doesn't tell you, the name of his boss, Donnaconna, probably reminds you of something. Yes, this is the man he owns the son!

True to him, Jacques Cartier took advantage of it to demonstrate strength in front of the Iroquois, activating his canons. An intimidation that works, since the French presence is definitely concerned with the tribes. Nevertheless, the browser plays the politician and tries to reassure (in fact to deceive) the premises on its intentions. To support his remarks, he released the hostages he used in France.

In fact, he takes advantage of it to market, which pleases the Amerindians. His attitude shows that Cartier is ready to do everything to bring back wealth to his home, but also to mark history, though it costs.

Hochelaga and Mont-Royal

Ranked guns, negotiations, no time to waste. After all, St. Lawrence is waiting. Cartier is taking over. Moreover, over the water, perhaps we will fall on these “big, strange white fish”, once unknown to the Europeans: the belugas.

However, the river banks are exceptional. A majestic natural setting, which charms anyone who ventures there, thanks to the autumn colours. Cartier throws anchor at Lac Saint-Pierre: new stopover, new treasures. Here, fauna and flora invite to discover an extraordinary world, a little like the Grèves Regional Park and its centennial pine forests. You see them, these little Bernaches of Canada, the herons or the Colicous who sing and pass trees into trees or fly above the water...

The frame is idyllic. To make the most of the place, let us be silent, close your eyes and listen to the sweet melody of nature. Guaranteed escape.

Once we leave, and after miles of navigation, including the Prairie River, we have arrived to destination. The first great stage of our adventure is in front of us, like Jacques Cartier almost 500 years ago. The ships anchor in front of the Iroquois village of Hochelaga. Surrounded by a palissade of circular wood, it houses long houses, also dressed in wood.

After a few contacts between Europeans and indigenous people, Jacques Cartier rushed to go in search. Indeed, upon his arrival he spotted a mountain overlooking the village and its surroundings, which he baptized Mont-Royal. Yes, the famous. He whose name echoes the many riches he has to offer. He who later will give his name to the city: Montreal.

Like our ancestor, let us go to the summit where we can observe the plain and the St. Lawrence. But unlike Malouin, in addition to nature, we can also contemplate the human work of the twentieth century: the skyline Montreal. Especially since its presence does not prevent the detection of Lachine rapids, a passage from the river that once worries Cartier and his men.

As far as we are concerned, let us leave the concern aside and take full advantage of Mount Royal, a true focus of Canadian geology: a plateau in plain sign, a summit, a lake and above all a lush vegetation. This fascination is also she who will make us vibrate throughout our port of call.

Upon his arrival, well before our time, Cartier saw only one plain and one hill, but the place marvelled him: “ This land is the most beautiful as it is possible to see ". That is. And when you see what these plains have become, you think the browser has just seen.

Before we go back to rust, let's go back to the top of Mount Royal, once the night has fallen. skyline , already beautiful of day, is even more in twilight. Whether you’re a fan of urban environments or not, it’s hard not to be under the charm.

Winter, enemy of the French

But let's go back to these famous rapids, the presence of which establishes an observation: today, as a few centuries ago, it is impossible to sail on its rapids. A real hard blow for the French. It is therefore necessary to spend the winter in Hochelaga. A harsh winter, very cold. By mid-November, ships are blocked by ice water. Gradually, the land is white and temperatures are falling.

The situation is harsh for Westerners. Worse, a disease begins to affect the crew members: scorbut. The latter gradually decimates the French. A total of twenty-five companions die. Jacques Cartier, powerless, asks for help to the Iroquois. And for cause: they are also victims of the scourge and yet they manage to heal it. At first hesitant, the Iroquois end up accepting to help the Europeans by offering them a drink of which they have the secret.

Today, Montreal’s winter is still as impressive. Nevertheless, the descendants of our settlers have been able to adapt to this extreme climate. Better, visiting Quebec's largest city at this time has something fairy. Patinories, ice slides, poutine tasting or ice hockey on a frozen lake... We're forgetting the roughness of the season. If the air is cold, the welcome is warmest.

Back to Stadaconé

Direction la France

Following the terrible winter that the French were hardly prepared, Jacques Cartier decided to repel the road. But before crossing the Atlantic, Malouin wants to stop again in Stadaconé. He ordered his troops to build a pious fort, not far from the Iroquois village, on the banks of the Saint Charles River. Our ancestors discover this village, populated by 50 inhabitants. They also use it to discover the Amerindian way of life, and the food resources used by them: squash, corn and beans.

But if Cartier stops in Stadaconé, it’s not fair to speak to the natives, of which in reality he doesn’t care. What interests François I’s envoy is the land, which is conducive to an installation. For us, it is an opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful stages of the St. Lawrence.

Although today, a metropolis has settled on the old Iroquois village and its surroundings, its shores remain the most charming. A walk in the Plains of Abraham, driving to Cape Blanc, is required to walk along the river. This is a chance that such a plant frame can preserve the panorama and the shores. The funicular also allows us to admire Quebec and the St. Lawrence from the top, adding a touch of magic to our adventure.

Then, direction the Iroquois village, became the historic Cartier-Brébeuf. Despite the colonization and appropriation of the land, the descendants of the settlers did not wish to build here. This is a park that stands there, where Donnaconna and her fellows lived.

Jacques Cartier, the manipulator

For Jacques Cartier, despite the beauty of the place, tourism has no place. His trip is a failure. He could not sail to the end of the St. Lawrence, and will not have time to find the kingdom of Saguenay. Therefore, it will not have discovered the passage of Asia, nor the famous gold.

His credibility with the king could take a blow. However, rusty as he knows so well, Cartier has shot his last card: the Iroquois. The browser will therefore invite the premises to participate in a big party, to celebrate the return to France and thank them for their help. He also promises Chief Donna to have a great surprise. The tribe therefore comes to feast with the French, before the celebration turns into a nightmare.

Indeed, Jacques Cartier ordered his men to kidnap Donnaconna, his two sons, a girl and three other leaders. Once again, Jacques Cartier has just abused his confidence. All of this, so that the Amerindians again bear witness to the riches of Saguenay, but also to scorbut and winter conditions. But for the Iroquois, the passage in France will not be a long, quiet river...

To crown the whole, just before leaving, on May 3, the Malouin made to install a cross. He found Saint-Malo on 16 July 1536. But as soon as he arrived, he only thinks of one thing: to return to New France a third time.

For us, navigation to France is not yet on the programme. We stay in Quebec, to continue the adventure. So to know the end of our great expedition, go to... third and final! And because we want to finish on a beautiful touch, let's leave Jacques Cartier's footsteps for a short time, to go to contemplate the Chute Montmorency.

See you soon!