Francophone outdoor activities
Voyageur Wilderness | Destination Ontario
We’ve assembled a list of great Francophone outdoor activities and experiences in Ontario. Run by Francophone operators and delivered in both English and French, these are activities that also celebrate and promote the province’s Francophone culture and heritage.
There’s something for everyone who loves to explore and experience the natural world.
The languages of programming and service for each attraction are identified below each one.
Northeastern Ontario
Lake Temiskaming Tour
This cross-border tour is a collaboration between Ontario and Quebec, offering a circuit that showcases the region’s dynamic and diverse Francophone, Anglophone and Algonquin cultures through a range of outdoor activities, events and stops at sites throughout the area.
Visitors can take part in four main types of activities:
- water (swimming, boating, sailing and beach activities)
- winter (ice fishing, sledding, tobogganing, downhill skiing and skating)
- agrotourism (pumpkin-picking, on-farm tastings, markets, handicrafts and visits to a sugar shack)
- festive (cultural, culinary and musical events and festivals)
There are lots of options for sampling local dishes, and a wide variety of accommodations (lodges, outfitters, chalets and hotels) and transportation options to suit your taste and needs.
Location: Lake Temiskaming
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Bison du Nord
View an impressive herd of around 300 bison up close on a 1-hour tour on a tractor-towed wagon ride through the pastures. This tour is run by a local bison ranch, committed to the welfare of their animals and the land (they are Animal Welfare Approved and Certified Grassfed by AGW).
One of the stops on the Lake Temiskaming Tour, they’re passionate about sharing their love of bison with visitors interested to learn more about this fascinating animal. The farm is also a popular stop for the thousands of visitors who attend the Foire gourmande de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue et du Nord-Est ontarien, in Ville-Marie, Quebec, and earned the People’s Choice Award in 2016 with their delicious BBQ bison burger.
Location: 086454 Airport Road, Earlton
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Billings Connections Trail
Follow this illuminating trail of historical plaques to learn more about the Francophone and Indigenous history and culture of the region and the connections between these communities. The text of each plaque is provided in three languages: French, Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) and English.
Also visit the trail’s dedicated kiosk in the local museum (the Old Mill Heritage Centre) for additional information. The project is an important part of the township’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015) for public education, aiming to help build awareness about the impact of colonization.
Location: 15 Old Mill Road, Gore Bay
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English, French and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)
Northern Spirit Adventures
With lots of options for outdoor activities throughout the year, in warm or cold seasons, this adventure company is passionate about giving visitors an authentic historical experience. Trace the path taken by the French voyageurs in traditional 34- and 25-foot (10- and 7.5-metre) canoes while taking in the beautiful landscapes and waterways of Ontario. Or take a snowmobile trek to enjoy the diverse canyons, mountains and snowscapes of the region in winter.
Led by modern and experienced guides, dressed in the traditional costumes of the historic “coureurs de bois” (runners of the woods), you’ll have the chance to see lots of wildlife including moose, wolves, bears, lynx, beavers and lots of different bird species, depending on the time of year.
Location: New Post Falls, Relay
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Northwest Ontario
Voyageur Wilderness
This Northern Ontario tour provider offers a range of cultural, educational and interpretative tours and nature-based eco-adventures and accommodations on Voyageur Island. Choose from canoe adventures, outfitting packages and rentals, a range of accommodations in cabins or lodges, and custom tours.
Explore the stunning landscapes of Quetico Provincial Park and the region’s historical water routes on tours inspired by the Indigenous and early French voyageur heritages of the region.
Location: Voyageur Island Lodge on Nym Lake, Atikokan
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Ottawa and Countryside
Drouin Farm
Visit this rustic rural attraction, run by the Francophone Pierre family, to take part in fun farm activities. There’s something for the whole family: horse-drawn cart rides, tobogganing and sledding hills, an amusement park and a fully operational sugar shack during maple syrup season (mid-March to mid- or late April) and apple and pumpkin festivals in the fall.
Regather your strength after a day of outdoor fun with a self-serve maple inspired pancakes meal, including maple taffy, and let your little ones enjoy tubing, bouncy castles and a playground.
Location: 1230 Route 400, Casselman
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Ouimet Farms Adventure
For lots of outdoor family fun, visit this Francophone family-run farm—home to “Ontario’s Most A-Maze-ing Corn Maze” and one of the equally amazing mural-decorated silos on the POPSILOS tour.
There’s a treasure hunt, inflatable outdoor pillow and zip line as well as wagon rides, outdoor games and delicious snacks at the farm’s cafe. At night, thrill-seekers can enjoy navigating the Night Maze with a flashlight. You can also pick your own pumpkins in the fall.
Location: 63 Main Street West, Vankleek Hill
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Les Fruits du Poirier
Pick your own organically grown fruits, berries and vegetables from this Francophone farm, located in the rural community of St-Eugène in the township of East Hawkesbury.
You can also park your recreational vehicle (RV) on the site for free if you plan to stay in the area to explore further.
Location: 2535 Concession Road 3, St-Eugène
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Proulx Farm
With nature trails, maple syrup production, pick-your-own summer berries, seasonal veggies and a Pumpkinfest each fall, there’s always something fun at this French Canadian family-owned farm. Don’t miss the Maple Festival in the early spring.
Location: 1865 Chemin O’Toole, Cumberland
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
Voyageur Provincial Park
Popular with visitors from Quebec, this park is located on the shores of the Ottawa River and on the border between Ontario and Quebec. Journey back in time to the age of the great explorer Samuel de Champlain, and soak in the scenic and diverse landscapes the park offers—from marshes and forests to open fields and riverbanks. Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts will have lots of species to discover.
Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy on one of the park’s four beaches, and then go for a hike on the easy trails. Cross-country ski trails are available in winter, and there are seasonal fishing opportunities. There are 415 car and recreational vehicle (RV) campsites that you can rent by day, month or season. You can also rent canoes or kayaks on-site during the summer.
Location: 1313 Front Road, Chute-à-Blondeau
Languages of programming and service: service and programming in English and French
For more information about Francophone experiences in Ontario, Salut Canada offers lots of useful tips on things to do, places to see and routes to explore.
For more Franco-Ontarian activities to add to your itinerary, check out these articles:
Last updated: February 13, 2023