French scientists traveled to Campbell Island to observe the 1874 transit of Venus.
Notes on verification
Multiple independent sources corroborate this claim, including peer-reviewed academic journals (Taylor & Francis), national encyclopedias (Te Ara), and French primary sources (Wikisource, Futura Sciences). Specific details match across sources: Campbell Island location, December 9, 1874 date, French expedition leader Bouquet de la Grye, and arrival date of September 9, 1874. The convergence of both international and French-language sources provides strong verification.