The Voyages of Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier was a French explorer who, in the 1530s, embarked on voyages to find a westward route to Asia. Instead, he explored the eastern coast of North America, particularly the land that is now Canada. He traveled up the Saint Lawrence River, establishing contact with Indigenous peoples and mapping parts of the region. His efforts laid the groundwork for future French claims in North America and provided valuable maps and knowledge about the continent’s interior. Cartier’s voyages are considered key early explorations that expanded European understanding of North America’s geography.