The French Presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1504-1904

The French presence in Newfoundland and Labrador dates back to the early 1500s and was connected to the migratory fisheries. In addition to the migrants from France, were Acadian settlers who began to arrive at the end of the 1700s. Most were farmer workers who left their homes in Cape Breton and moved to western Newfoundland.