Du Gua, Pierre, Sieur de Monts << doo gwah, pyair, syur day mawn >> (1560?-1630?), was a French explorer and colonizer who settled the region of Acadia in Canada. King Henry IV of France made Du Gua a lieutenant general and the governor of Acadia. The king also granted Du Gua a monopoly over the fur trade in Acadia on the condition that he bring settlers there.
Du Gua sailed for America in March 1604 with Jean de Biencourt de Poutrincourt and Samuel de Champlain. They explored the Bay of Fundy and settled at the mouth of the Saint Croix River. In 1605, the settlers founded Port-Royal, Nova Scotia. Du Gua then returned to France.
Du Gua never returned to Canada. His monopoly over the fur trade ended in 1608. But he remained active in the trade until 1617. In 1608, Du Gua sent Champlain to Canada to found Quebec, establish a warehouse, and explore the country. Du Gua was born in Saintonge, France. His given and family name was Pierre du Gua.
