Northeastern Ontario is home to many vibrant French-speaking communities, some dating back 400 years.
Ontario is home to Canada’s largest Francophone community outside of Quebec, and around 21% of all Franco-Ontarians live in Northeastern Ontario. In the 19th century, Francophones travelled up the Ottawa River to work in forestry and agriculture near Mattawa. The early 20th-century railroad expansion then spurred a population boom along the Trans-Canada Highway towns northwest of Sudbury.
Franco-Ontarian communities include Hearst, Kapuskasing, Timmins, Cochrane, Sudbury, Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls, Moonbeam, Val Rita, and other towns. Each celebrates its Franco identity and rich cultural history through festivals, museums, galleries, cuisine, and cultural and community events.
Francophone Festivals
From Sudbury to Hearst, you’ll discover outdoor entertainment and warm hospitality across the region. Dive in to festival fun at Le Carnaval des Compagnons in North Bay or take to the dance floor in celebration of francophone artists at Festival de la St-Jean in Kapuskasing. The June 24 Festival de la St-Jean is considered Ontario’s biggest event in honour of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of French Canadians. In Sudbury, the music festival La Nuit sur l’étang is a popular summer event.
Francophone Culture in the Arts
Francophone culture thrives in the arts across Northern Ontario. In Sudbury, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario showcases contemporary works by Franco-Ontarian and Canadian playwrights, while La Slague presents over ten concerts by francophone artists annually.
The artist-run Galerie du Nouvel-Ontario exhibits contemporary Francophone visual arts and organizes events like the Foire d’art alternatif de Sudbury. The Salon du livre du Grand Sudbury hosts a biennial book fair and annual literary events.
In Kapuskasing, the Centre régional de Loisirs culturels is a hub for performances and visual arts. Nearby in Hearst, the Conseil des Arts organizes exhibits at Galerie 815 and cultural events at Place des Arts de Hearst.
Franco-Ontarian Day
Did you know Franco-Ontario has its own flag? The specialized flag flew for the first time on September 25, 1975—now known as Franco-Ontario Day—at the University of Sudbury. The flag became the symbol of the Franco-Ontarian community and was officially recognized in 2001. Celebrate this special day with community events across the region.
Franco Culture in Sudbury
As the Northeast's largest city, Sudbury is a vibrant hub of Franco-Ontarian culture, offering visitors a rich blend of history, arts, and traditions. The city is home to a strong French-speaking community, celebrated through institutions like the Carrefour francophone, Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario, and the annual French Fest. Visitors can explore local French-inspired cuisine, murals showcasing Francophone heritage, and historical sites that highlight the city's deep-rooted bilingual identity. Whether enjoying a French-language play or visiting the Place des Arts, Sudbury provides a unique glimpse into the enduring spirit of Franco-Ontarian culture.
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