Compagnie des Indes Orientales

The Compagnie des Indes Orientales was a French trading company established in the 17th century to handle trade between France and Asia, especially India and Southeast Asia. It was created to compete with other European powers, like England and the Netherlands, in acquiring valuable goods such as spices, textiles, and rare commodities. The company held a colonial monopoly and managed France’s interests in Asian territories, acting as both a commercial enterprise and a tool for expanding France's influence in the region. Its operations played a significant role in France’s economic and territorial ambitions during the colonial period.