In June 1564, Laudonnière and approximately 300 French settlers arrived on the St. Johns River and established the settlement of “La Caroline” (often styled Fort Caroline) in honor of King Charles IX of France.
Their objectives were manifold: to establish trade (including with native tribes), to carve a safe haven for French Protestants, and to challenge Spanish dominance in the New World. They built a defensive work—described as earthen walls, sod ramparts and planks—near the bluff above the river.
Native Interactions and Environmental Hardships
The French colony received early assistance from the Timucua chief Saturiwa and his people, who provided food, guidance, and familiarity with the terrain. The French praised the craftsmanship and hospitality of the Timucua—even as disease, cultural misunderstanding and dependency began to sour relations.
The settlement faced harsh conditions: the subtropical climate, mosquitoes, unfamiliar soils, inadequate supplies and isolation plagued the colonists. Attempts at agriculture were hampered by unfamiliarity, and the fort’s strategic walls offered limited defense when storms and hunger came. These hardships would erode the stability of the colony. shutdown123