July is French History Month. French piracy can be traced back to the early days of European exploration and colonization. French pirates were often known by different names depending on their region and era, with the most famous among them being the Buccaneers and the Corsairs. The Buccaneers were primarily active in the Caribbean during the 17th century. Initially, they were hunters of wild cattle and hogs on the island of Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic). The term "Buccaneer" comes from the French word "boucan," referring to a wooden frame used for smoking meat. These hunters eventually turned to piracy, targeting Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbean. Corsairs, on the other hand, were privateers sanctioned by the French crown to attack enemy ships during times of war. They operated mainly in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. French piracy, with its blend of brutality, audacity and flamboyance, left a lasting mark on maritime history, influencing the legends and lore of the pirate era.