Fort Plaisance was a French fort built in the 17th century on the island of
Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada, in the country's Atlantic region. The province comprises the island of Newfoundland and the continental region of Labrador, having a total size of . As of 2025 the population ...
during the period of
New France
New France (, ) was the territory colonized by Kingdom of France, France in North America, beginning with the exploration of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence by Jacques Cartier in 1534 and ending with the cession of New France to Kingdom of Great Br ...
. It was the first permanent French military fortification in Newfoundland and played a key role in protecting French interests in the region.
[MacDonald, Hugh. "The Forts of Newfoundland: 1600-1700." *Canadian Military History Journal*, 1993.]
Establishment
In 1662, the French established a strategic trading post in a well-protected cove overlooking
Placentia Bay
Placentia Bay () is a body of water on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, Canada. It is formed by Burin Peninsula on the west and Avalon Peninsula on the east. Fishing grounds in the bay were used by native people long before the first Europ ...
, separating the
Avalon Peninsula
The Avalon Peninsula () is a large peninsula that makes up the southeast portion of the island of Newfoundland in Canada. It is in size.
The peninsula is home to 270,348 people, about 52% of the province's population, according to the 2016 Ca ...
from the rest of Newfoundland.
["Plaisance to Placentia: A History of Newfoundland's French Settlement". *The Newfoundland Historical Society*. Accessed February 2025]
/ref> The area was of high economic importance due to its proximity to the Grand Banks
The Grand Banks of Newfoundland are a series of underwater plateaus south-east of the island of Newfoundland on the North American continental shelf. The Grand Banks are one of the world's richest fishing grounds, supporting Atlantic cod, swordfi ...
, one of the richest fishing grounds in the world.[''Grand Banks'', Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed February 2025]
/ref>
Construction and Fortifications
To protect the settlement, the French constructed a series of forts, beginning with Fort Plaisance in 1662, followed by Fort Royal (Newfoundland), Fort Royal in 1687 and Fort Saint Louis in 1690.
Conflicts and Military Role
Fort Plaisance played a defensive role during the late 17th century, as tensions between the French and English escalated in North America. Throughout the late 1600s, Newfoundland was a battleground for Anglo-French hostilities, with attacks occurring from both sides. The fort was used as a base for military operations and trade, helping France maintain control over the region.
Decline and Abandonment
In 1713, the Treaty of Utrecht
The Peace of Utrecht was a series of peace treaty, peace treaties signed by the belligerents in the War of the Spanish Succession, in the Dutch city of Utrecht between April 1713 and February 1715. The war involved three contenders for the vac ...
forced the French to abandon their settlements in Newfoundland, including Fort Plaisance.["Treaty of Utrecht (1713)", Encyclopædia Britannica. Accessed February 2025]
/ref> The settlement of Plaisance was ceded to the British and renamed Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Placentia. Many of the French inhabitants were relocated to ÃŽle Royale
The Salvation Islands ( French: ''ÃŽles du Salut'', so called because the missionaries went there to escape plague on the mainland), sometimes mistakenly called the Safety Islands, are a group of small islands of volcanic origin about off the co ...
, where construction of the Louisbourg Fortress began.
Legacy
Today, Fort Plaisance remains a significant historical site, symbolizing the French colonial presence in Newfoundland. While little remains of the original fortifications, archaeological studies and historical records provide insights into its structure and importance.
See also
* List of French forts in North America
This is a list of forts in New France built by the French government or French chartered companies in what later became Canada, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, and the United States. They range from large European-type citadels like at Quebec City t ...
*Castle Hill, Newfoundland and Labrador
Castle Hill is an area containing the remains of both French and British fortifications, overlooking the town of Placentia ( French: ''Plaisance'') in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The site was originally established in order to protect ...
References
External links
*http://www.heritage.nf.ca/patrimoine/exploration/forts_f.html
*http://www.pc.gc.ca/fra/lhn-nhs/nl/castlehill/natcul/histor.aspx
{{NLMilitary, state=collapsed
Saint Louis
1662 establishments in the French colonial empire
Foreign military bases in Canada