Old French fort on the east shore of lake Timiskaming (Ottawa river) on a point at the Narrows, north shore of Laperrière bay, on the route to lake Abitibi and James bay. Built in 1686 after Sieur de Troyes' expedition to Moose river for the capture of the Hudson's Bay Co. forts on James bay. See map No. 46. This fort was in active service under the French until the cession of Canada. It was a strong and important post, large and well equipped. Immediately after being deserted by the French, it was occupied by the free-traders and then by the North West Co. In 1821 it became the headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Co. for surrounding posts and was noted for its large library. The post was abandoned in 1888 and a small store was erected near the village of Baie des Pères (Ville Marie) about 4 miles north of the old fort. Mattawa then became the headquarters with the opening of the C.P. Ry. Maps 10, 8, 100 & 101.

The diary of de Troyes entitled, "Relations and Journal of a Journey to the North by a detachment of 100 men under command of Sieur de Troyes, March 1686", says that the party arrived at the house of The Company of the North on an island of lake Timiskamingue "situated between two rapids proceeding from a little river called Metabec-Chouan", where 14 men of the Company were on duty. This island lies at the outlet of the Metabitchouan and Montreal rivers which empty into lake Timiskaming nearly conjointly. This was the first post on the lake and was built by the Compagnie du Nord between 1676 and 1685. About 1870 the Hudson's Bay Co. operated a small post at the ancient Indian village at the head of the lake.