French exploration and settlement in the St. Louis area played a crucial role in shaping the region's history and culture. The first European to explore the area was the French explorer Jacques Marquette, along with his companion Louis Jolliet, in 1673. They traveled down the Mississippi River, reaching the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, near present-day St. Louis.

In 1699, French explorers led by Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville established the first European settlement in the area, Fort de Chartres, located near present-day Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. This marked the beginning of French presence and influence in the Mississippi River valley.

In 1764, Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau, fur traders from New Orleans, established a fur trading post on the west bank of the Mississippi River, which would later become the city of St. Louis. They chose the site for its strategic location near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, making it an ideal hub for trade and commerce.

Under French colonial rule, St. Louis flourished as a center for fur trading and a gateway to the western frontier. The city's French heritage is still evident today in its architecture, street names, and cultural traditions. The French influence also extended to the surrounding areas, shaping the customs and way of life of the diverse communities that call St. Louis home.