Following the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, European colonists brought their system of fortification to the New World in an attempt to ensure their safety and consolidate their conquests. French and British explorers came later to North America, and thus the establishment of their sizeable permanent settlements only got under way during the 17th century. The inhabitants of New France built elaborate fortifications to protect their growing towns and cities. This book provides a detailed examination of the defenses of four of them: the three largest fortified cities in Canada â€" Québec, Montréal and Louisbourg â€" and New Orleans in Louisiana.