French Florida Colonial Attempt

Timeline

1. 1561–1562Le Havre · NormandyWith support from the French crown and Admiral Coligny, Jean Ribault organized Huguenot settlers and soldiers, setting sail from Le Havre for Florida, with the goal of establishing a Protestant colony outside Spanish spheres of influence and controlling waterways leading inland.
2. 1562Mouth of the St. Johns River · FloridaRibault's fleet reached the mouth of the St. Johns River (which Ribault called the "May River"), established contact with local natives, and erected a pillar of French sovereignty, then sailed north along the coast to survey sites suitable for a harbor.
3. 1562–1563Parris Island · South CarolinaRibault's garrison built Charlesfort on Parris Island, but the supply ship failed to return on schedule. In 1563, the garrison mutinied under the leadership of Albert de Pierrepont (de Pièrrefort), abandoned the fort, and crossed the Atlantic back to France in self-built boats, ending the colonial attempt in failure.