In his works, Champlain gives a unique account of most of the events that occurred in Canada from 1603 to 1629. He informs the nobility and the bourgeoisie about the colony. However, the accounts of his travels published in four successive volumes tell only of his life as an explorer and his official role as a colonial administrator.

Inkstand, 17th century Found at the site of the second Quebec settlement Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec, Archaeological Collection

. . . to describe the richness and fertility of the coast-lands, what they are fit for and what they can be expected to produce; also the native inhabitants of the localities, their laws and customs; and to make pictures of the birds, animals, fishes, plants, fruits, roots, trees, and everything unusual that is seen; for this a little skill in drawing is very necessary... Champlain, Treatise on Seamanship and the Duty of a good seaman, 1632

Brief Narrative of the most remarkable things that Samuel Champlain of Brouage observed in the West Indies during the voyage which he made to them, in the year one thousand five hundred and fourscore and nineteen and in the year one thousand six hundred and one – as follows. Published for the first time by Abbé C.-H. Laverdière in 1870.

Of Savages, or, Voyage of Samuel Champlain of Brouage, made to New France, 1603

Of Savages, or, Voyage of Samuel Champlain, of Brouage, made to New France in the year one thousand six hundred and three: containing the customs, manner of life, marriages, warfare, and system of government of the savages of Canada. The discovery of more than four hundred and fifty leagues in the territory of the savages: what peoples dwell there; of the animals found there; of the rivers, lakes, islands, and varieties of soil, and what trees and fruits these produce. Description of the coast of Acadia, of the lands discovered there, and of several mines to be found there according to the report of the savages. First edition at Paris, at Claude de Monstr'oeil's whose shop is in the Court of the Palace, at the sign of Jesus, 1603. Second edition at the same publisher in 1604.

The Voyages of the Sieur de Champlain of Saintonge, Captain in ordinary for the King in the Navy. Divided into two books, or A Very Accurate Journal of Observations made in the course of discoveries in New France, both in the description of the countries, coasts, rivers, ports and harbours, with their latitudes and many magnetic variations, and also in regard to the beliefs of the inhabitants, their superstitions, manner of life, and mode of warfare; embellished with numerous illustrations. Published at Paris, in Jean Berjon's shop in the rue S. Jean de Beauvais, at the Flying Horse, and in his shop at the Palace, in the Prisoners' Gallery. 1613.

The Voyages of the Sieur de Champlain of Saintonge, Captain in ordinary for the King in the Navy, 1613

Voyages and Discoveries Made in New France, from the Year 1615 to the End of the Year 1618. By the Sieur de Champlain, Captain in Ordinary for the King in the Western Ocean. Wherein are described the manners, customs, dress, mode of warfare, hunting, dances, feasts, and burials of various savage nations, and many remarkable things which happened to him in the said country, with a description of its beauty, fertility and climate. Published at Paris, At Claude Collet's, at the Palace, in the Prisoners' Gallery, 1619. 2nd Edition in 1620 and 3rd in 1627.

The following publication summarizes his previous works and his days of exploration beginning with his first trip to Canada. The title speaks for itself:

The Voyages to Western New France, called Canada, made by the Sieur de Champlain of Saintonge, Captain for the King in the Western Navy, with all the discoveries he has made in that country from the year 1603 until the year 1629.

The Voyages to Western New France, called Canada, made by the Sieur de Champlain of Saintonge, Captain for the King in the Western Navy, with all the discoveries he has made in that country from the year 1603 until the year 1629. Wherein is seen how this country was first discovered by the French under the authority of our Most Christian Kings until the reign of His Majesty now ruling Louis XIII, King of France and of Na-varre. With a treatise on the qualities and conditions required by a good and perfect Navigator in order to know the variety of the reckonings made in Navigation. The marks and teachings which God's Providence has placed on the seas to correct the sailors on their courses, without which they would fall into great dangers, and the method of making good charts with their ports, harbours, islands, soundings and other things necessary for navigation. Together with a general map of the whole country drawn in its true meridian according to the variation of the compass and a Catechism or Instruction translated from French into one of the Indian languages of the country, with what happened in the said New France in the year 1631. [Dedicate to] My Lord the Cardinal Duke of Richelieu. [Published in three editions in 1632 by three publishers: ] At Paris, at Claude Collet's, at the Palace, in the Prisoners' Gallery, at the Golden Star. At Paris, at Pierre Le Mur's, in the Large Hall of the Palace. At Paris, at Louis Sevestre. Printer-Bookseller, rue du Meunier, near S. Victor Gate, and at his store in the Palace Court.