Location in the World
The ancient French capital of Newfoundland, Placentia has been an internationally renowned strategic location since the 1500s.

Situated on the southwest coast of the Avalon peninsula in Placentia Bay, it was a key position for keeping communication between France and the New World open in times of war.

Because of its proximity to the English capital of St. John's, it was an excellent site for keeping an eye and a handle on the enemy English population.

Today, Placentia is still a strategic location for business, courtesy of its proximity to shipping routes, transportation routes. St. John's, the Argentia industrial area and the ferry that links Newfoundland to mainland Canada.

Location in the Province
Placentia is located on the Avalon Peninsula of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, on Canada's East coast.

Stretched across a coastal forested area, Placentia is approximately 100 km southwest of Newfoundland's capital city, St. John's (roughly a 90 minute drive). A well-sheltered port made Placentia the natural choice for early fishing settlements. The expanse of stone-covered beach made Placentia an ideal location for drying fish caught by the early French, Spanish and Portuguese fisherman. The historic town remains one of the most picturesque communities in Newfoundland and Labrador.

It can be accessed by the Argentia Access Road off the Trans Canada Highway (TCH), by the Colinet Road, which connected the TCH via Salmonier Line, or by the North Sydney-Argentia ferry.