Nicolas Durand, sieur de Villegaignon, also Villegagnon (Villegaignon, Seine et Marne, France, 1510 – Beauvais, 9 January 1571) is a Commander of the Knights of Malta, and later a French naval officer (vice-admiral of Brittany) who attempta to help the Huguenots in France escape persecution.

A notable public figure in his time, Villegaignon is a mixture of soldier, scientist, explorer, adventurer and entrepreneur.

He fights pirates in the Mediterranean and participates in several wars.

Villegagnon is a nephew of Philippe Villiers de L'Isle-Adam, Grand Master of the Order of Malta.

He is ordained as a Knight of the Order in 1521.