Jacques Cartier Facts

Picture of the explorer Jacques Cartier

This article on  the biography and life of Jacques Cartier provides facts and information about:

  • Who was Jacques Cartier?
  • What was his involvement in the Discovery of America?
  • Jacques Cartier explored the coast from the Cape Fear River to Nova Scotia.
  • Life and Biography of Jacques Cartier
  • Fast information and interesting facts about Jacques Cartier
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids
Explorers & Discovery of America
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History of the Famous Explorers and the Discovery of America

The discovery of America and the brave explorers like Jacques Cartier who led the way for the early colonists

Facts about Jacques Cartier
The following Fact File contains fast information about the life of Jacques Cartier. Interesting facts and an overview and description of the life and times and his involvement in the Exploration and the discovery of the New World leading to the colonization of America.  For additional info refer to the French in America.

Facts about Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier Fact 1Why was Jacques Cartier famous and what part of America did he explore? He was famous for leading three expeditions to Canada. Jacques Cartier explored the coast from the Cape Fear River to Nova Scotia. Cartier visited the Gulf of St. Lawrence and sailed up the St. Lawrence River to Montreal

The Grande Hermine ship of Jacques Cartier

The Grande Hermine - the ship of Jacques Cartier
 

 
Jacques Cartier Fact 2When was Jacques Cartier born? He was born December 31, 1491
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 3What was his country of origin and where was Jacques Cartier born? He was born in St. Malo, Brittany, France
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 4Jacques Cartier  married Catherine Des Granches in May 1520, but they had no children.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 5It was a good marriage as Catherine Des Granches was the daughter of Jacques Des Granches a chevalier du roi and constable of Saint Malo. The couple moved to Dieppe where Jacques Cartier met Giovanni da Verrazzano. Dieppe was the home to other famous explorers such as Samuel de Champlain, Jean Ribault and Jacques Cartier
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 6In 1524 the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano was directed to make plans to explore an area around Florida and in Terranova, the "New Land" - Jacques Cartier accompanied him on the expedition and explored the northeast coast of North America
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 7King Francois I of France received a recommendation from Giovanni da Verrazzano about the navigational skills of Jacques Cartier
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 8Jacques Cartier was again  recommended to the King in 1532 by the the bishop of Saint Malo. His reputation as a seaman was recognised in the highest court circles
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 9In 1534 the King of France commissioned Jacques Cartier to "discover certain islands and lands where it is said there is a large amount of gold and other riches to be found."
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 10He assembled 2 ships and a crew of 30 for each ship. The name of Jacques Cartier's ship was the Grande Hermine - see the above picture. the Grande Hermine was a small ship and measured about 70 feet long. The expedition sets out for North America in April 1534.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 11Jacques Cartier and the two small ships reach Newfoundland and sails on to and explores the coast of Labrador
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 12The expedition then sailed inland, going 1,000 miles up the St. Lawrence River
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 13The first voyage of Jacques Cartier lasted 137 days, after which time he returned to France.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 14The French king is pleased with the explorations of Jacques and commissions a second voyage
 
 

Facts about Jacques Cartier for Kids

Facts about Jacques Cartier
This article contains a short biography in a fact file format in date order. Fast facts and information about the life of Jacques Cartier. Who was Jacques Cartier and why was he famous?

When did he explore the New World of America? Which area of America did Jacques Cartier explore? Read the fact file that provides fast access to interesting facts for kids about the life of this famous explorer and his place in the history of America.

Jacques Cartier with Native American Indians

Jacques Cartier with Native American Indians
 

Facts about Jacques Cartier

Jacques Cartier Fact 15On May 26, 1535 Jacques Cartier leads a second voyage to Canada.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 16His second expedition across the Atlantic Ocean consists of three ships and 110 men
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 17He reaches Montreal before returning to spend the winter at Stadacona (Quebec), near some friendly Native Indian villages
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 18The second expedition sets sail for France on 1536 May 6, 1536 and arrives in Saint-Malo on July 16, 1536
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 19Jacques Cartier reports back to the King and the French start to plan for the colonization of Canada.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 20In 1540 Jean Francois de la Rocque, Sieur de Roberval (1500-1560) was commissioned by the king to take charge of the colonization of Canada
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 21Jacques Cartier was commissioned to make a third voyage to the New World in 1541 in advance of the expedition of Sieur de Roberval 
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 22He arrives safely in Canada but the freezing weather conditions in Stadacona (Quebec) were terrible and the decision was made to return to France.
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 23On the voyage back to France he manages to rendezvous with Sieur de Roberval at the French landing point in Newfoundland
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 24Jacques Cartier warns Sieur de Roberval not to go to Canada because of the bitterly cold weather conditions - but he ignores the warnings
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 25Sieur de Roberval sails for Canada. His attempts to start a settlement fail due to the weather conditions and he is forced to return to France
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 26Jacques Cartier reached home after his third voyage to the New World in 1542 and ends his voyages of discovery
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 27He retires, and in 1545 publishes an account of his expeditions and voyages of exploration in Canada
 
 
Jacques Cartier Fact 28September 1, 1557: Jacques Cartier dies on September 1, 1557 at his manor of Limoilou, near Saint-Malo
 
 

Facts about Jacques Cartier for Kids

Jacques Cartier Facts for kids
The life and biography of Jacques Cartier is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about  are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the life of this famous man who played a major role in the Discovery of America. The facts include the major events in the life of Jacques Cartier together with important dates and details of his family. For additional facts for kids and information refer to the additional articles including:

Discovery of America - the Explorers of America
 

Mercator World Map

The Exploration & Discovery of America - The Geradus Mercator World Map

Jacques Cartier

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