as it was, the portuguese were not the only europeans that attempted to settle the area. in the mid sixteenth century several hundred french colonists established settlements and constructed a fort, named villegaignon, in honor of their leader admiral nicolas durand de villegaignon. the french fort was taken in a battle by the portuguese.

portuguese founded the city of st. sebastian of rio de janeiro. due to its favorable location and the success of the first sugarcane plantations, the city thrived and its harbor became a flourishing port. that success attracted french pirates and required an appropriate coastal defense network.