France was the European country that colonized the majority of present-day Canada. French explorers, such as Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain, initiated colonization in the early 17th century, establishing settlements like Quebec. French influence in Canada was marked by trade, particularly in fur, and established relations with Indigenous peoples. The French Colonial period contributed to a unique cultural blend of French heritage with Indigenous traditions that continue to shape Canada's identity today. Ultimately, the British victory in the Seven Years' War led to the cession of French territories in Canada, but the French cultural legacy remains prominent in the province of Quebec.