New France is located in current day Canada. Jacques Cartier explored much of the area beginning in 1534, when he travelled through the Saint Lawrence River. The early years of New France proved incredibly difficult; very few made it through the harsh winters, and the primary source of French occupation were the fur traders who set up posts throughout North America.
On this day July 23rd, in 1632, a ship with 300 colonists leaves from Dieppe, France headed for New France. Likely many others, they were bound for Quebec, founded by Henry IV (of France) in 1608 beginning with 28 people. In 1630 there were just over 100 colonists in Quebec, but by 1640 there were over 350.
Dieppe is a port town famous for its scallops and fisheries. It is on the Northern Coast of France by the English Channel. Currently the city has fewer than 90,000 people, but during the 1630’s Dieppe was one of France’s primary ports. During the 1800’s Dieppe became a popular destination for English artists, as the town is serene and beautiful, and of course within close proximity of England.