"I was born in Autheuil, near Tourouvre, in Perche. My name is Robert Giffard. I am a surgeon, apothecary and doctor. In the 1620's, I spent some time in New France. It is a magnificent country. Fellow people of Perche, my friends, you should believe me when I say that we can settle there, find a profusion of rich lands, hunt, trade..."

Back in France between 1629 and 1634, Robert Giffard wanted to convince masons, roofers, joiners and lumberjacks to follow him to Canada. By firesides in inns and hostels, he told them all about it, and managed to arouse the traveller in the souls of the inhabitants of Perche, usually so attached to their daily routines, their village, their province. Using his force of persuasion, he got them to join his mad mission. They took him at his word. In the spring of 1634, 30 of them left everything to join the great adventure. Others joined them in the years that followed.