It was during this winter of 1610-11, that Champlain, who was now more than forty years of age, entertained thoughts of marriage.  His constant voyages during the past twelve years had probably prevented him from entering into this estate before.  It is, perhaps, somewhat surprising that he so suddenly put aside this consideration against the marriage.  Did he contemplate residing permanently at Quebec, or did he foresee that circumstances would render his remaining in New France improbable?  There is nothing in his narrative which throws any light on this question.  Champlain does not mention the name of his wife in any of his writings, but we find later that she accompanied him to Quebec, where she dwelt for four years.  The name of Champlain’s wife was Helene Boulle, the daughter of Nicholas Boulle, secretary of the king’s chamber, and of Marguerite Alix of St. Germain l’Auxerrois, Paris.  Helene Boulle was born in 1598, and at the time of her marriage she was only twelve years of age.  Her parents were Calvinists, and she was brought up in the same faith, but through the lessons and influence of her husband she became a Catholic.

The marriage settlements were executed at Paris on December 27th, 1610, and signed by Choquillot and Arragon, notaries, in the presence of the parents and friends of both parties.  Among those who attended on that occasion were Pierre du Gua, friend; Lucas Legendre, of Rouen, friend; Hercule Rouer, merchant of Paris; Marcel Chenu, merchant of Paris; Jehan Roernan, secretary of de Monts, Champlain’s friend; Francois Lesaige, druggist of the king’s stables, friend and relative; Jehan Ravenel, Sieur de la Merrois; Pierre Noel, Sieur de Cosigne, friend; Anthoine de Murad, king’s councillor and almoner; Anthoine Marye; Barbier, surgeon, relative and friend; Genevieve Lesaige, wife of Simon Alix, uncle of Helene Boulle, on the mother’s side.

According to the terms of the contract, Nicholas Boulle and his wife pledged themselves, by anticipated payment of the inheritance, to pay six thousand livres cash, the day preceding the marriage.  Champlain also agreed to give his future wife the benefit of his wealth at his death.  Two days after, Nicholas Boulle sent to his son-in-law the sum of four thousand five hundred livres, the balance was to be sent later on.

The betrothal took place in the church of St. Germain l’Auxerrois, on Wednesday, December 29th, 1610, and on the following day the marriage was celebrated in the same church.  As the young bride was not of marriageable age, she returned to her family to live with them for two years, as agreed by the contract.

Champlain then resumed his colonization work, and had an interview with de Monts, in order to induce him to take some action in his favour.  Although the profits to be realized from the enterprise were not certain, it seemed probable that fur-trading, and developing the resources of the country, might become advantageous.  The expenses of the undertaking were also small:  a few barrels of biscuits, of pease and cider would be found sufficient to sustain the fifteen or twenty men who formed the nucleus of the colony.  From year to year Champlain hoped to be able to monopolize the fur trade, not for himself, but for the company of de Monts.