TRAVEL NOTEBOOKS
USA : IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FRENCH EXPLORERS
Visiting the United States is an exhilarating adventure and this vast continent also
offers us the opportunity to discover the fascinating history of French explorers who
started over 400 years ago.
Bordered to the west and north by the Canadian province of Quebec, to the northeast by that of New Brunswick and
south east by the Atlantic Ocean, the state of Maine is the most important territory of the states that are the New En-
gland.Many spaces bear witness to the formerly French presence as the first european establishment created in 1604 on
the Sainte Croix island by Pierre Duga De Mons or even Fort Pentagouet created in 1625 by Charles de Saint Etienne De
La Tour to protect the population against the british invasion.The Maine is also famous for its radiant and enchanting
landscapes,its rocky coasts, its low mountains and by its big forests which are multiple colors from the first signs of au-
tumn.What is interesting when you visit this state is its diversity as in its north border with Canada where you can skiing
in season in spacious and well-equipped resorts and also meet americans of french and Acadian origin especially in the
village of MADAWASKA located near the Canadian border. More to the south going down to PORTLAND,BANGOR and
KENNEBUNKPORT,we discover green landscapes bathed in sunshine bordering a steep coast with fine sandy beaches
and typical fishing ports where colored boats are parked which bring back in their lockers some sumptuous lobsters.
Neighboring the states of Maine,Connecticut,New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts, the Vermont is one of the smai-lest states in the American continent, conquered in 1609
by French explorer Samuel De Champlain, the state was
then part of the New France before being given to the
kingdom of great brittany after its defeat during the Hun-
dred years War in 1763 .MONTPELIER, its administrative
and policy keeps, in addition to its name of French spea-
king origin,traces of the French presence like its architec-
ture or its way of life. It is also interesting to discover
BURLINGTON a town separated from Canada by Lake
Champlain and which offers great views in addition to
quality public facilities allowing walks or mountain biking
along the lake. These states what we calls New England
have the particularity of being welcoming with landsca-
pes and spaces expressing all that nature has more noble.
When Louisiana Was French
For thrill seekers and French history buffs,there is nothing
like a trip in the bayous of Lousiana southern american
state of the United States located in the gulf of Mexico or
we find traces of 336 years of French presence since Ro-
bert Cavelier de la Salle explorer came from New France
explored the Mississipi basin to its mouth and gave this
huge territory named Lousiana in honor of king Louis XIV
of France.Brings to the bayous of the cities of Lafayette
and Saintmartinville located on the western part from the
state about 250 kilometers from New Orleans. The word
"Bayou" was created by the Frenchs from "Bayuk" term
of the Choctaw Indians designating stagnant rivers and
creeks into the vast swampy expanse of southern Loui-
siana which is also an important wildlife park.
Stroll through the streets of Lafayette a city founded in
1821 by Jean Mouton Acadian and initially named Vermi-
lionville to the take the name of Lafayette in honor of the
marquis from Lafayette is delighted because we see the
bilingual indications on street signs of great proportions.
This frenchspeaking city in the heart of Cajun country
formerly Cajun and retains in it part of the fascinating
history of Acadia since 1755.Discover the culture and the
conviviality of this French-speaking territory is also very
interesting in Saintmartinville named thus in honor of Martin De Tours who is, with Lafayette,the cradle of Aca-
dian presence in Louisiana. Tasting Louisiana cooking is
a tradition that shoul not be avoided with the decatfis-
hes or even the fried alligator and taste these dishes in
good restaurants accompanied by Cajun singers and musicians is an unforgettable memory.
From Saint Louis To Detroit : From The Banks Of The
Mississipi To The Heart Of The Great Lakes Region
Important port of the banks of the Mississipi and second largest city in this American State in the Midwest after Kan-
sas city, Saint Louis which was officialy founded in 1764 by French merchants Gilbert Antoine De Saint Maxent and his
partner Pierre Lacléde accompanied by his young assistant Auguste Chouteau is a shimmering city with a typical archi-
tecture of Midwestern towns embellished with streets and great places in addition to the cultural and historical data of
the city nicknamed in English "The gateway to the West".A boat ride along the Mississipi river and the city shores is also
an interesting attraction that allows in particular to admire "The Gateway Arch" which is an original construction consis-
ting of an arch clad in stainless steel that is part of the Gateway Arch National Park and has since become 1965, date of its realization, the emblem of the city of Saint Louis.
Located in the northen part of the United States near Canada in the state of Michigan, the city of Detroit is located in
the heart of the Great Lakes region and was founded in 1701 by Frenchman Antoine De Lamothe Cadillac.For a long time
car capital of the world which earned it at the start of the 20 th century nicknamed "The Moto City" or "Motown", Detroit
is also a dynamic city on the cultural and sports plan with a unique architectural heritage complemented by museums such as the Detroit Institute Of Arts and a gigantic sports and leisure district which is located on the south by the port.
The particularity of the United States is its diversity which can be found in the deep south as well as the midwestern states of well new england and this gateway in american gave me another picture of america which is also a country which combines culture,wide open spaces, art of living and gastronomic pleasures.
Report : Gabriel PAGE.
Photos Credit : Gabriel PAGE - Getty Images ( Produced in 2018 )
