SPRING ACTIVITIES IN OTTAWA IN FRENCH
You’ve probably heard by now that some people see Ottawa as a boring city with little to do. With a majority of government workers, some think the city sleeps at night as well as during the day. If finding activities in English is considered difficult, finding them in French can seem impossible. At Alliance Française Ottawa, “impossible” is a word we don’t use much in our vocabulary, and today have put together a list of spring activities to do in Ottawa in French, outdoors or indoors.
- Visit the Parliament of Canada
Discover the heart of Canadian democracy, the history and workings of government on one of four free guided tours. Ranging from 30 minutes to 1 hour, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Senate of Canada Building, the House of Commons in the West Block, the four restored heritage rooms in the East Block or the main Parliament Building in an immersive experience.
Guided tours are available in French, and free sign language interpretation is available on request. The Senate of Canada is accessible to wheelchairs and service animals, and arrangements to accommodate visitors can be made by contacting the Senate of Canada Building.
You can also watch live debates in the Senate or House of Commons or attend a parliamentary committee meeting. End your visit with a tour of the Parliament Boutique, in person or online, to discover unique products and souvenirs.
Plan your visit: https://visitez.parl.ca/sites/Visit/default/en_CA?
- Explore the National Gallery of Canada
To celebrate the return of spring, the National Gallery of Canada offers a multitude of activities to immerse you in the art and imaginations of talented artists. Browse the galleries and take note of what catches your eye among the collections of Indigenous and Canadian, contemporary, European and American art, in addition to temporary exhibitions such as “Kan Azuma. A Question of Place.”
The museum offers a range of exciting events, including exhibition openings, artist talks and more. La nuit des idées, co-organized each year by the French Embassy in Canada, takes place on April 25 at 6pm, and will explore the major technological and scientific breakthroughs of our time.
You can also join one of the public guided tours for a relaxed and informative activity or escape into the world of art with the NGC Magazine. Let yourself be inspired by the works of art during the Creative Space – a program of activities for all ages focusing on free creation. Friendly bilingual interpreters are on hand to help.
Last but not least, visit the museum during the Free Thursday Evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. to experience art, music and creativity! Bring your friends and family, indulge in seasonal refreshments and appetizers in the Scotiabank Great Hall, and rock out to the sounds of a local DJ.
Plan your visit: https://www.gallery.ca/
- Visit the tulips
Ottawa is famous for its annual Tulip Festival when millions of tulips bloom all over the city. It’s a must-see experience in the spring. This popular annual event features grandiose tulip displays, family activities and much more.
For 11 days in May, the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrates the beauty of this seasonal flower and its historic ties to Canada’s capital. The outdoor event takes place in Commissioners Park, where more than 300,000 tulips bloom along picturesque Dow’s Lake on the Rideau Canal. You can take photos, visit the heritage exhibit, watch outdoor movies, bring your kids to play in Tuliptown and buy fresh-cut flowers, crafts or artwork during the day. In the evening, enjoy illuminated flowerbeds, the Black Light Walk experience and goosebump-inducing historical tales.
Plan your visit: https://tulipfestival.ca/
- Attend cultural events
As soon as the warm weather arrives, a wealth of cultural activities are in store.
Festivals: Ottawa Music Festival, Ottawa Poutine Festival, Canadian Children’s Festival, Ottawa Arts Festival, Cherry Blossom Festival, Lebanese Film Festival, one date of which will be hosted on our premises! (More information to come).
Concerts: Some of the city’s legendary venues offer concerts such as Brass Monkey, Mavericks, and House of Targ. We also love Fever’s unique candlelit tribute concerts to artists such as Cold Play, ABBA, Bach and The Beatles. The Alliance Française Ottawa is also organizing an epic concert on April 23 at 7pm at Club SAW. Come and discover the iconic French band Taqsim Driver (formerly Fanfare Couche Tard).
And of course, we’ve got a full cultural calendar this spring: book clubs, lectures, film clubs, Eurovision broadcasts and Pub Night are all on the agenda!
- Enjoy Francophone cuisine
In Ottawa, lovers of Francophone cuisine are spoilt with choice when it comes to restaurants offering dishes inspired by the gastronomy of France, Quebec and other French-speaking countries. It’s a great opportunity to savor traditional dishes while practicing the language.
Enjoy classic French dishes and desserts such as crêpes, éclairs, croissants or quiches at Moulin de Provence and Café Henry Burger.
Indulge in exquisite French gastronomy at Le Baccara and Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa.
Immerse yourself in the traditional flavours of authentic Quebec cuisine, with dishes such as poutine, pâté chinois, tourtière and sucre à la crème at La Maison Conroy or Fritomania.
The most traditional way to celebrate that pleasant feeling of spring in the air is with the taste of maple syrup! Head to MuséoParc Vanier for their sugar shack.
If you want to discover or immerse yourself in exceptional African or Haitian flavors, head to Ykos BBQ Chicken, Glasdone Golden Grill or J’TM resto bar.
- Take a language course
Spring is synonymous with renewal. What could be better than learning a new language and discovering new horizons? At the Alliance Française Ottawa, the Spring 2 session is fast approaching! It starts on May 7, 2024 and we offer a wide range of courses.
Public service test preparation courses: Discover our dynamic and innovative courses, specially designed to prepare you for the Canadian Public Service Commission’s written expression, reading comprehension and oral language evaluation tests.
General French group courses: Our French courses are held in small groups, which means you’ll always have the opportunity to practice your conversational skills with your instructor and classmates.
Workshops: Alliance Française Ottawa offers 4 French workshops to help you practice your French: Oral A2, Grammaire Intermédiaire B1, Oral B1, Oral B2.
Tailor-made courses: For beginners or more advanced levels, these courses meet personal or professional needs. Private lessons and tailor-made courses are fully personalized, online French course formats.
Philosophy workshops for children: Alliance Française Ottawa launches the “Petits penseurs” program. This is an introductory workshop in philosophy for children aged 6 to 12, whether French-speaking, English-speaking or FLE learners, even beginners.
Bootcamps: The Alliance Française Ottawa offers two-week courses specially designed to prepare you to successfully achieve your goals.
- Attend French-language theater performances
In Ottawa, there are many options for attending theatrical performances in French. Here are just a few of the theaters and theater companies offering French-language productions in the region:
Théâtre la Catapulte: This French-language theater company produces contemporary and original works in French in Ottawa. Their productions often feature local artists and explore a variety of themes and styles.
Théâtre du Trillium: Founded in 1974, Théâtre du Trillium is one of the oldest French-language theater companies in Ontario. They produce professional French-language plays and are committed to promoting francophone culture in the Ottawa region.
National Arts Centre (NAC): The NAC frequently hosts French-language shows and special events, including French-language plays. In fact, if you’re a member of the Alliance Française Ottawa, you’ll receive a 50% discount on tickets to the Théâtre Français.
- Cycling along the Rideau Canal
Cycling along Ottawa’s Rideau Canal is a popular activity that offers a unique French-language experience. You can easily rent a bike in many parts of the city, including near the Rideau Canal. Many rental services offer a variety of bike types, including hybrids, road bikes and electric bikes.
Rent a bike and explore the magnificent Rideau Canal bike path, offering superb views of the city and its surroundings.
So, it’s not so impossible to have fun in Ottawa in French this spring, eh? Whether it’s culture, nature or gastronomy, Ottawa offers many opportunities for enriching experiences this spring! Take advantage of the return of warm weather and discover Canada’s capital like you’ve never seen it before.