Jacques Cartier - Emblematic figure of the corsair city

Jacques Cartier is an emblematic figure of Brittany, and more specifically of Saint-Malo, since he was born here. When you come to our commune in Ille-et-Vilaine for your next vacation, you'll hear a lot about Jacques Quartier, the exceptional navigator and explorer.

From the terrace of our seaside hotel in Brittanyyou can admire the blue expanse stretching as far as the eye can see. You probably had no idea that more than 500 years earlier, an explorer by the name of Jacques Cartier would sail these same waters in search of a paradise coveted by many of his fellow explorers: Asia.

Born in St-Malo on September 23, 1491, Jacques Quartier is a symbol of our city. Under the orders of François 1er, the Saint-Malo navigator was tasked with exploring and finding new lands. On one of his most important voyages, he discovered Canada by sailing up the St. Lawrence River. He and his crew landed in Gaspé, Stadaconé and Hochelaga, the last two names corresponding to present-day Québec and Montréal. Canadian winters are harsh, and many of Jacques Cartier's men succumbed to the cold. Cartier clung to life with the help of the Amerindians, his faithful allies.

Jacques Cartier's desire to find a route to Asia never materialized. Indeed, between 1534 and 1536, he spent his time scouring the vast expanse of North America in search of riches. Each expedition was perilous, and the harsh conditions led to the deaths of his crews. Jacques Cartier visited Canada for the last time in 1541, at the request of the king, who wished to establish a colony there. At Cap-Rouge, where the very first French forts were built, Jacques Cartier mistook quartz and pyrite for diamonds.

Two years later, disillusioned by his failure to find wealth and overwhelmed by the recurring deaths of his men in this snowy, hostile land, Jacques Cartier left Canada for good, ending his days in the capital of Brittany, his one and only city. He died in a hotel in Saint-Malo in 1557.