<P> The French colonization of the Americas began in the 16th century, and continued on into the following centuries as France established a colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere . France founded colonies in much of eastern North America, on a number of Caribbean islands, and in South America . Most colonies were developed to export products such as fish, rice, sugar, and furs . </P> <P> As they colonized the New World, the French established forts and settlements that would become such cities as Quebec and Montreal in Canada; Detroit, Green Bay, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Mobile, Biloxi, Baton Rouge and New Orleans in the United States; and Port - au - Prince, Cap - Haïtien (founded as Cap - Français) in Haiti, Cayenne in French Guiana, São Luís (founded as Saint - Louis de Maragnan in northern coast of Brazil), Pariaba in New Holland and Rio de Janeiro in portuguese South America . </P>

When did the french first settle in canada