On May 1, 1562, French Huguenots landed near these bluffs along the St. Johns River and claimed Florida for France.
Their expedition leader, Jean Ribault, named the river “The River of May” to commemorate the date of his landing, and raised a column in honor of the French king.
This small interpretive site near Fort Caroline explains the story of the landing and the monument.
Entrance staircase leading to St. Johns BluffResources
Resources for exploring the area
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Overview
Location: Jacksonville
Parking: 30.387960, -81.489865
Address: 13199 W Fort Caroline Park Rd, Jacksonville
Fees: Free
Restroom: At nearby Fort Caroline
Land manager: National Park Service
Phone: 904-641-7155
Open 9-4:45 Wednesday through Sunday.
Directions
From I-295 East (SR 9A) use the Southside Connector exit to follow Fort Caroline Rd 4.3 miles east. It turns left at Mt. Pleasant Rd. Pass the entrances to Fort Caroline and Spanish Pond within a quarter mile. Continue another half mile. Turn left on W Fort Caroline Park Rd. The road ends at the parking area.
About the Monument
Commissioned in the 1920s by the Daughters of the American Revolution, this monument replicates the one illustrated by artist Jacques Le Moyne.
Reproduced after his return to Europe, the illustration shows the Timucua who lived along to the river coming to the tall pillar to leave offerings of worship.
Reproduction of Le Moyne’s sketch of the Timucua at the Ribault Column by Theodor de Bry, 1591 (National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution)It is not known what happened to the original column, but in the context of the Spanish massacre of the French colony at Fort Caroline, it was likely intentionally sunk or carried off.
Unveiled with fanfare in 1924, this replica sat near Mayport until World War II brought Mayport Naval Station to the mouth of the St. Johns River, making it inaccessible.
A boardwalk provides access to the bluffsIt’s a short climb from the parking area beneath ancient oaks to reach this promontory.
Moved to this bluff in 1958, the monument stands at a spot with a stunning view of the St. Johns River sweeping from Blount Island to Mayport.
The century-old modern replica of the Ribault ColumnExplore More!
Learn more about Timucuan Preserve
Timucuan Preserve
Florida’s northernmost National Park encompasses a diverse collection of historic and cultural sites on both sides of the St. Johns River in Jacksonville.
Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
Fort Caroline
At the site of the original French settlement in Florida, explore the rich natural and cultural history of the region at the Timucuan Preserve visitor center, Fort Caroline, and its interpretive nature trail.
Spanish Pond
Interpreting the Spanish attack on nearby Fort Caroline from an encampment on this pond, Spanish Pond connects via the Spanish Pond Trail to the Theodore Roosevelt Area.
Theodore Roosevelt Area
Hike 3.1 miles looping around an ancient midden fronting the St. Johns River on this scenic hike honoring the conservation legacy of Willie Brown, who preserved his coastal forest for us to enjoy.
Dutton Island Preserve
Discover a different perspective on Atlantic Beach on this island preserve in the middle of the San Pablo River estuary east of downtown Jacksonville