In the summer of 1541, after arriving on his third and final voyage, French explorer Jacques Cartier established the fort and a settlement of 400 people.

Charlesbourg Royal was named after Charles II, Duke of Orleans, third son of King Francis I of France.

[3] Fort Charlesbourg Royal was abandoned in September 1543 due to the harsh weather, scurvy, and attacks from neighbouring Iroquoians of Stadacona and other villages.

[3] In August 2006, Quebec Premier Jean Charest and Canadian archaeologists under Yves Chretien announced the discovery of the long-lost settlement.

Chretien identified its location from fragments of a decorated c.1540-1550 Italian style ceramic plate and six wood timber samples dated to the mid-16th century by a United States laboratory.