Canadian Historic Sites: Occasional Papers in Archaeology and History No. 3

The French in Gaspé, 1534 to 1760

by David Lee

Abstract

The early history of the Gaspé peninsula is examined in the light of its importance to the history of the French Empire. The distinctive economic development, based almost entirely on the cod fisheries, is traced from the early 1600s to the middle of the 18th century. Five communities are discussed in detail, and the economic relationship of the Gaspé to Quebec and the mother country is considered.