New France was the area colonized by France in North America from the 16th century until the Treaty of Paris (1763). At its greatest extent, it included a vast network of settlements, trading posts, and territories stretching from Newfoundland and the St. Lawrence River valley through Acadia, Louisiana (New France), and deep into the interior of the continent.
French exploration began in the early 16th century and was followed by more permanent settlement in the 17th century, especially around Quebec City and Montreal. The colony developed around the fur trade, missionary activity, and alliances with various Indigenous peoples. Unlike the densely populated English colonies to the south, New France remained relatively sparsely settled, with a smaller European population and a strong military and administrative presence centered on the governor and the French crown.
New France was shaped by rivalry with other European powers, especially Britain, and by a series of wars that repeatedly changed its borders and fortunes. In 1763, after France’s defeat in the Seven Years' War, most of New France was ceded to Britain, ending French colonial rule in mainland North America, though French language and culture remained influential in the region.