Which explorer established claims for the French

The explorer was Samuel de Champlain.

Samuel de Champlain travelled with fur traders along the St. Lawrence River and explored the Great Lakes region from New York down to Lake Champlain (which he named). In addition to exploring this territory, he was able to establish the French settlement of Quebec.

Earlier French explorers had travelled to North America and explored parts of Canada. They realized that the animals found in these regions could be trapped and skinned, and when the fur was sold, it would bring a large profit.