Jean Ribault was a French naval officer and explorer known for his expeditions to North America in the 16th century. He played a significant role in the French efforts to establish a colony in the New World, particularly in the region that is now Florida. Ribault is best remembered for founding the short-lived Fort Caroline near present-day Jacksonville in 1562. Ribault's expeditions were part of France's broader competition with Spain and England for territory in the Americas. His voyages contributed to the early European exploration of the southeastern United States, although his colony ultimately faced challenges and was destroyed by Spanish forces in 1565.