The Old French Capital

Arms and the Newfoundlander by Elizabth Russell Miller

Taking the Route 100 past Point Verde you arrive at Placentia, a community situated on a large beach near a coastal forest area. In the early days of the seventeenth century this was the French capital of Newfoundland. On what is now called Castle Hill National Historic Park, the French built a fort called Le Gaillardian in the year of 1692. The following year they constructed Fort Royal to defend against attacks from the sea. The area adajecent to the park was defended by Fort Louis and Fort Le Vieux, both of which have disappeared. The French used this base to attack St. John's three times, each time being forced to retreat after heavy damage to the city.

In 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht was signed and the British moved into Placentia. During the Seven Years' War its defenses were upgraded to aid in the recapture of St. John's, which had been recently taken by the French.

A wonderful view of Placentia Bay is available to visitors from the remains of the fort on Castle Hill. There is an Interpretation Centre built into the hill which tells the stories of the people who worked here over the years. Hiking trails pass through stands of evergreens for those inclined to exercise.

In the town of Placentia you will find the community museum in O'Reilly Heritage House on the waterfront. This grand old house has a fine collection of period furniture and some unusual woodwork. The town also features an old church with a stone presbytery, and a government services building with a fine clock from earlier this century.

A short way along the road is Argentia where the ferry from North Sydney docks between June and September. The United States maintained a military base at Argentia from 1940 through the war years.

In 1941, off Ship Harbour, American President Franklin D. Roosevelt met British Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill laid out the post-war era with the signing of the Atlantic Charter. A monument to this meeting has been erected off Route 102.

To Scenic Tours: Avalon Region