It was Francis I who launched the vast drive for French overseas expansion which later resulted in the French colonies of Quebec and Louisiana. Such royal determination amply justifies adding to the Francis I Routes the two leading cities
in the east of the North-American continent, New York and Quebec.
It was upon an order from Francis I that Verrazano explored and mapped the North American coastline in 1524, naturally resulting in the discovery of the New York bay.
In 1532, Jacques Cartier was ordered by Francis I to sail beyond Newfoundland to reconnoitre new territories that the King hoped to turn into a French colony.
The French caravel : "La Dauphine", Copyright Association Albert Robida Paris.