French colonization of the Americas begins in the 16th century, and continues in the following centuries as France establishes a colonial empire in the Western Hemisphere.

France founds colonies in much of eastern North America, on a number of Caribbean islands, and in South America.

Most colonies are developed to export products such as fish, sugar, and furs.As they colonize the New World, the French establish forts and settlements that are to become such cities as Quebec and Montreal in Canada; Detroit, St. Louis, Mobile, Biloxi, Baton Rouge and New Orleans in the United States; and Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien in Haiti.