from 1555-1560 the french occupied what is now part of the area of rio de janeiro city, which marked an attempt to colonialize the territory, then controlled by the portuguese - With these colonial conflicts being water under the bridge, in 1825 France acknowledged the independence of Brasil, and one year later the treaty of friendship, navigation and commerce was signed between the two countries.

in 2006 the presidents of france and Brazil signed the strategic partnership with the plan of exchange and access of information in the fields of politics, economics, defense, sustainable energy and technology - due to strong cultural proximity, france is home to many brazilian expatriates who live and work there, and also receives many students via the science without borders program.