A strong fort was constructed, and the little settlement received the pretentious name Charlesbourg Royal.

The remaining part of the month of August 1541 was spent in making fortifications and in unloading the ships.

On September 2 two of the ships, commanded by Mace Jalobert, Cartier's brother-in-law and companion of the preceding voyage, and Etienne Nouel, his nephew, were sent back to France to tell the king of what had been done, and to let him know that Roberval had not yet arrived.
As on his preceding voyages, Cartier was greatly impressed by the aspect of the country about him.

All round were splendid forests of oak and maple and cedar and beech, which surpassed even the beautiful woodlands of France.

Grape vines loaded with ripe fruit hung like garlands from the trees.