The French's most noticeable attribute is its Coureur des Bois. These strong villagers can fight and gather better than normal Settlers. However, they take longer to train and cost 20% more food. The Coureurs can hold off small raiding parties but are still weaker than military units. Because they can only train 80 Coureurs, the French economy is no better than other nations. The French are the nation with the biggest potential with Natives. At the start of each game, the French start with an Explorer and a Native Scout. This gives them excellent scouting abilities early on.

The French military can be summed up in one word: versatility. They have access to every regular military unit except the Grenadier (and they can even get those with the Edict of Nantes card.) With this kind of variety, the French have a counter for almost anything that is thrown at them. In addition to the Hussar and Dragoon, they can train their unique Cuirassier from the Stable. The Cuirassier are the direct descendants of medieval knights, and are the toughest conventional unit in the game. The French Cuirassiers and Skirmishers can both be upgraded to Royal Guard status.

Paris, the default Home City for the French, has little strengths or weaknesses. They have a decent Trading Company and Military Academy, and Manufacturing Plant. From the Notre Dame Cathedral they have the choice to send two Factories or two Forts to their colony, and they have access to many Native Tribe cards. Their downfall is their mediocre navy and mercenary arsenal.

Coureur des Bois (villager)

Cuirassier (heavy cavalry)

Skirmisher (called Voltigeur)

Cuirassier (called Gendarme)