Question

Why would the French be more interested in the northern areas of America

Answer 1

" The French colonization of the Americas began in the 15th century and continued on into the following centuries as France establish a colonial Empire in the Western Hemisphere. France founded colonies in much of eastern North America on a number of Caribbean islands and in South America. Most colonies were developed to export products such as fish sugars and furs."
Mostly they wanted the goods and one of the big focuses was fur although it was at first the fish.

Answer 2

Because of the ability of fur.