First early contact between France and the territory of present-day Colombia took place in May 1697 during the French Raid on Cartagena which was a successful attack by the French on the fortified city of Cartagena as part of the "Nine Years' War". During the early 18th century, many French explorers traveled to the Caribbean coast of Colombia and to the Gulf of Urabá. However, Colombia was not a destination of mass immigration for the French. Approximately 200 French nationals immigrated to Colombia between 1843 and 1851.