The Chaleur Region derives its designation from the Baie-des-Chaleurs (meaning "The bay of warmth") was the name that Jacques Cartier gave this area. On a summer day of 1534, Jacques was the first European to come to this place. Settlement began here more than 350 years ago. In 1619 the first missionaries arrived and established a Récollet Mission on the shores of Nepisiguit Bay (today's Bathurst).

In 1652, the headquarters of the Governor of Acadia - Nicholas Denys - was begun at Ferguson point. Today, this site is where the Gowan Brae Golf and Country Club are located. It is said that in 1688, Nicholas died and was buried here. Not too long after his death, perhaps a few years, the settlement was abandoned. In 1755, the area was settled once again by Acadian refugees who were escaping deportation by the British from their beloved Acadia, now known as Nova Scotia.

The Acadians settled in the western part of present-day Bathurst, while English, Scottish, and Irish immigrants settled in other parts of Bathurst.

In late 1700s early 1800s, new settlements began to crop us along the Chaleur coast. Upshore, Petit-Rocher was settled in 1797 by the French while the English settled downshore.

The Cunard Shipping Company built the famous Cunarder in Bathurst.