Every March, the Month of La Francophonie highlights the vibrancy and diversity of the French language and Francophone cultures around the world. At Ottawa Public Library (OPL), it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the vitality of Francophone culture and deepen our connection to the Francophone and Francophile community.
Based on the latest data from the 2021 Census, 9,405,325 people in Canada have French as a mother tongue, or speak it at home, or use it at work or have it as a language of instruction at school. Every year, the Francophonie just keeps growing, coast to coast. The OPL’s collection reflects this diversity, with more than 75,000 titles and a number of digital resources and programs offered in French year-round.
To mark the Month of La Francophonie, OPL is launching a new series of 10 meet-and-greets with Francophone authors—the perfect opportunity to talk literature and culture, discover Canadian works and dive into inspiring literary landscapes. This series kicks off in March and will run all year long.
Come revel in the company of Sophie Laurin on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 pm, at the Orléans branch. Laurin will take us to the heart of the romance stories in her novels, including her most recent one, On le dira pas à nos enfants (2025). It promises to be an exciting night filled with laughter and intrigue!
Even more French at OPL
📽️ French films: Come watch French-language films from the comfort of our branches, all for the low price of free. Big thanks to the National Film Board for making these screenings possible.
💬 French-language conversations: If you want to brush up on your spoken French, come take part in the French-language conversation sessions at several of our branches. You can practice your French in a stress-free setting, all year long.
For Francophones, Francophiles and the Franco-curious, the Month of La Francophonie at OPL is an invitation to read, speak, discover and celebrate French together. Why not start the French-language fun now with the list of books below?
Le mois de mars est le Mois de la Francophonie, une occasion de célébrer et d’honorer l’héritage culturel francophone du Canada et d’ailleurs. La langue française, sa diversité et toute la richesse qu’elle apporte font partie intégrante du patrimoine historique du Canada et d’Ottawa.
