Canada was the location of a French colony.
The Acadians ( Acadiens , [ akadjɛ̃ ] ) are the descendants of French colonists who settled in Acadia during the 17th and 18th centuries , some of whom are also Métis . Canada . Beginning in the 16th century , British and French claims were made on the area , with the colony of Canada first being established by the French in 1535 during Jacques Cartier 's second voyage to New France . Provinces and territories of Canada . Several of the provinces were former British colonies , and Quebec was originally a French colony , while others were added as Canada grew .