This paper synthesizes archival data, historical narratives and recent interpretations of historians and researchers in order to document the environmental perceptions of the first European occupants of New France, with specific attention to the Quebec City region. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Europeans experienced a new environment often through contacts with Native populations. Newcomer settlement was made possible through adaptation to the new territory, with the aim of exploiting its resources in order to place France at the centre of Europe’s endeavour to conquer the New World. Reports and observations of New France reflect the learned Society’s passion for sciences and its sensitivity to nature. Appropriation of the territory and settlement of Europeans came at the expense of the St. Lawrence Valley landscape. While historical documents pertaining to New France are abundant, they can be difficult to decipher considering they are written in Old French. By combining our readings and our own reflections into one document, our contribution brings awareness to the challenges early European had to overcome.