The community of
Francois was settled in the late 1700s,
primarily as a fishing community. Small boat
fishers harvested a variety of species during
the summer fishing season and sold their catch
to Newman & Company of
Gaultois. In 1908 John
Penney & Sons Limited of Ramea replaced Newman &
Company as the principal fish buyer. In 1922 the Penneys constructed a general store and set up a
branch division in Francois, consequently
controlling fish collecting and supplies for the
community.
Francois's rich fishing heritage also included
operation of a whale factory at nearby Chaleur
Bay from 1893 to 1911, as well as a lobster
canning industry which was operated by the Fudge
family from 1870 to 1900 and later by a firm
from Fortune. This enterprise constructed a
lobster factory in Francois around 1900.
Although no lobster factory exists there today,
the lobster fishery remains constant and
lucrative. local fishers still harvest a variety
of other species as well and sell their catch to
outside interests.
Accessible only by boat or helicopter, Francois
has a deep harbour which is navigable year-round
and a
helipad which provides landing space for
helicopters.
When entering Francois harbour by boat, visitors
are first greeted by one of the few remaining
manned light stations in Newfoundland. Once past
the light, visitors are astounded by the narrow
opening leading into the steep-walled rocky
fjord that is Francois. Clinging to the cliffs,
the community of Francois comprises one of the
few outports on the south coast of Newfoundland
to survive the resettlement program of
Newfoundland's first premier, Joey Smallwood.
Francois is a great point of departure for
visits to the nearby abandoned outports of
Parson's (New) Harbour and Rencontre West.
Francois offers a variety of other attractions
for the outdoor adventurer in both summer and
winter. A visit to Francois can include:
For a truly astonishing experience of the
isolation and sheer beauty Francois has to
offer, a visit to the Friar makes your trip one
to remember. The Friar is a 680 foot rock
projection that provides a bird's eye view of
Francois and Chaleur Bay. long celebrated by
residents and visitors alike, Francois is a
place like no other on earth.
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