Samuel de Champlain Statue

The statue of Champlain is located at Kìwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point), in Ottawa, behind the National Gallery of Canada.

Samuel de Champlain (1567–1635) was an explorer, geographer and map-maker who founded Québec City in 1608. In 1613, he explored the Ottawa River.

This statue commemorates the 300th anniversary of Champlain’s second voyage on the Ottawa River. It was erected at the same spot where Champlain made his solar observation during his expedition in 1615.

Champlain certainly knew how to use an astrolabe — an old navigational instrument — but the sculptor did not. Champlain is depicted holding it upside down!

The statue was created in 1915 by Hamilton MacCarthy.