Lessons Learned / Leçons durement apprises
"The Sieur de Mons decided to remove elsewhere...to escape the cold and dreadful winter..."
Samuel Champlain Journal, 1605 (translation)
After the terrible winter, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, ordered his men to take down the buildings and relocate. The French had learned valuable lessons about North America. This time, they chose a mainland site with a fresh water supply. This time, they built for winter weather. This time, the colony, Port Royal, succeeded.
One reason the colony succeeded at Port Royal is that the French learned many survival lessons from the Mi'kmaw people there.
Did you know?
Some who came to Saint Croix Island became leading figures in Acadia and New France.
• Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt headed the colony of Port Royal, the nucleus of Acadia.
• Samuel Champlain founded Quebec City and acted as Governor of New France.
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Samuel Champlain, Journal, 1605
Après ce terrible hiver, Pierre Dugua ordonne de démonter les bâtiments et de s'installer ailleurs. Les Français ont appris d'utiles leçons sur l'Amérique du Nord. Cette fois, ils choisissent un endroit approvisionné en eau douce sur le continent. Cette fois, ils bâtissent en fonction de la rigueur du climat hivernal. Cette fois, la fondation de la colonie, Port-Royal, est une réussite.
Les Français ont appris beaucoup de leçons de survie des Mi'kmaq de Port-Royal, ce qui explique en partie la réussite de la colonie à cet endroit.
Le saviez-vous?
Quelques hommes qui ont débarqué à l'île Sainte-Croix sont devenus des dirigeants de l'Acadie et de la Nouvelle-France:
• Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt dirigait la colonie de Port-Royal, le cœur de l'Acadie
• Samuel Champlain a fondé Québec et a été nommé gouverneur de la Nouvelle-France.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1605.
Location. 45° 7.431′ N, 67° 8.751′ W. Marker is near Calais, Maine, in Washington 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Imagining the Settlement / La colonie telle qu'on l'imagine (a few steps from this marker); Trapped For The Winter / Prisonniers de l'hiver (a few steps from this marker); Exploring the Coast / Exploration de la côte (within shouting distance of this marker); Building A Community / Tout à bâtir (within shouting distance of this marker); Strangers Offshore / Étrangers du grand large (within shouting distance of this marker); Settling on Saint Croix Island / Colonisation de l'île Sainte-Croix (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Saint Croix Island International Historic Site / An Enduring Legacy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Saint Croix Island (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calais.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site / Île Sainte-Croix Lieu historique international
Also see . . .
1. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. (Submitted on October 21, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site Audio Files for Interpretive Trail
Credits. This page was last revised on January 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 21, 2018, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
