zation refers to the period in history when France established colonies and territories outside of its borders, mostly in Africa and Asia, from the 17th century until the mid-20th century. France's colonization efforts often involved the establishment of economic, political, and cultural control over the territories it colonized.

For instance, in West Africa, French colonization was centered on the exploitation of natural resources such as gold and rubber, and the establishment of trade routes to transport these resources back to France. In Southeast Asia, French colonizers sought to establish their dominance by forcing the local population to accept French language, customs, and laws.

The French colonization period was marked by conflict and resistance from colonized territories and their peoples, many of whom were subjected to repression, exploitation, and violence at the hands of French authorities. Today, the legacy of French colonization remains evident in the cultural and political landscape of many former French colonies, and has had lasting impacts on the development of their societies.