Chaleur Bay

Chaleur Bay reaches westward from the Gulf of St. Lawrence between the Gaspé Peninsula and the southern shore of Mi'kma'ki. The Restigouche River enters at its head, where Mi'kmaq families gathered in summer and where fishing and trade drew later arrivals. The bay takes its French name from the warmth noted by Jacques Cartier during his voyage of 1534.

In 1760 a French relief flotilla, unable to reach Québec, took shelter in the Restigouche estuary. Acadians and Mi'kmaq joined its defence against British ships, while batteries on both riverbanks supported the French vessels. After weeks of fighting, the French commander scuttled the Machault and Bienfaisant rather than surrender their supplies and ammunition. The relief expedition had failed, and Montréal capitulated that September.