Jacques Cartier visited this roadstead in 1534 and, from the sixteenth century on, it was one of the favourite fishing haunts of French fishermen, especially those from Bayonne, Honfleur and La Rochelle. Both the mainland and Bonaventure Island offered a sheltered anchorage and the catch could be dried on shore. At least ten ships came to this spot for a period of four months each summer, and the place also served as a relay point for goods and mail moving between QuÄbec and France. In 1686, the intendant inspected this region and this drawing was submitted with his report. The racks used to dry the codfish can be seen on the mainland and on Bonaventure Island (number 2). The shape of PercÄ Rock (number 1) has changed greatly over the years as a result of wave action on the crumbly stone. A few Canadian families set up permanent residence at PercÄ before the end of the French regime and some of the cod caught in the vicinity was sold in the market at Quebec City.
