Coureurs des Bois

Coureurs des Bois were French-Canadian fur traders and adventurers in the 17th and early 18th centuries. They operated primarily in North America, particularly around New France, engaging in the lucrative fur trade. These traders often traveled deep into inland territories, exploring and establishing trading relationships with Indigenous peoples. Known for their independence and rugged skills, they played a crucial role in developing North America’s early economic connections between European markets and Indigenous cultures. The coureurs des Bois helped expand European influence and contributed to the exploration and mapping of the continent’s wilderness areas.