James Bay Attractions Baie James

Baie James (James Bay) is the flat southern part of Hudson Bay. It was discovered in 1610 by the English seafarer Henry Hudson and explored by Thomas James in 1631. From 1663 onwards the French adventurers Radisson and Chouart des Groseilliers traded here in furs. In 1671 Father Charles Albanel and Paul Deys de Saint-Simon discovered the region to the east of James Bay. One of the places they passed was Lake Mistassini, the largest lake in the province of Québec.

Between 1930 and 1935 lay brothers from the settlements at Wasganish (Fort Rupert) set out for Chisasibi (Fort George), where they tilled the land and reared cattle. This satisfied the needs of the Cris Indians living there.

Settlements

The few villages are scattered along the coast, the main one, Chisasibi (Fort George) being at the mouth of the Grande Rivière.