Why did France offer the sale of the Louisiana territory?

Answer 1

They didn't say. The delegation sent to France was authorized to pay up to ten million dollars for New Orleans and the surrounding territory; they were flabbergasted when offered the opportunity to buy the entire territory for fifteen million.

There are several factors that probably contributed to France's decision. They were trying to get out of the New World Empire business at the time; they'd just lost Haiti, and Napoleon sensibly thought he could get more "bang for his buck" by concentrating on Europe instead of worrying about vast tracts of largely uninhabited (by Europeans) land in the Western Hemisphere. Some of the territory claimed by France was also claimed by Spain; selling it let Napoleon wash his hands of that particular can of worms.

Answer 2

More specifically then "France" it was the emperor Napoleon who offered to President Thomas Jefferson the purchase of the Louisiana Territory which included the large city of New Orleans. Not only did Napoleon want the funds from the sale, but strategically, Louisiana was a liability or Napoleon. His navy was not as strong as that of Great Britain. Trying to defend New Orleans from an attack and capture by England, he chose the best thing. By having the Americans own Louisiana, there was little chance that Britain could capture it and use it as a base of operations.

Answer 3

Napoleon needed money. He was fighting a war and wars are expensive.