This summer, come experience four different guided walking tours offered by Tourisme Riel and the Saint-Boniface Museum. All are equally educational about Francophone and Métis heritage and history in Manitoba.

Saint-Boniface Guided Walking Tour

Tourisme Riel offers a guided walking tour to give you the perfect introduction to the history of Franco-Manitobans. Your guide will answer the questions that we’ve all been asking ourselves : why do we speak French in Saint-Boniface? Why does 219 Provencher Boulevard have City Hall written on the front? When did the Saint-Boniface Cathedral burn down?

Many names will be evoked throughout the tour and you will pass several historically important buildings. Whether you’ve been here for a few days, or your whole life, you’ll definitely find yourself saying “well of course!”, or “I had no idea!” throughout the tour.

When? Daily at 10:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Where? Start at 219 Provencher Boulevard.

How long? About an hour and a half.

How much? $10 for adults, $8 for seniors & students, and $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 12 years old. Children 5 and under are free. 

Reservations are recommended but not required, so give Tourisme Riel a call at (204) 233-8343, or an email at info@tourismeriel.com to save your spots!

The “Women Who Made Us” Tour

The Saint-Boniface Museum is offering a tour that shines the spotlight on the role of women in history. This decidedly feminist tour opened my eyes to so many things, like that fact that only four streets in Saint-Boniface have been named after these founding women. 

The names and the faces are perhaps familiar to many : the Grey Nuns, the Nolin Sisters, Margaret Youville, Marie-Anne Gaboury, and Gabrielle Roy. Around one block, we learn about the history of the Grey Nuns, as well as one initiative of reconciliation : The Saint-Boniface Heritage Garden includes a space that pays tribute to the Métis people through art displays. Between kidnappings and burning buildings, the history of Taché Avenue was not easy!

When? Daily at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm.

Where? Head to the Saint-Boniface Museum at 494 Taché Avenue.

How long? One hour.

How much? This tour is free! Reserve your spot here.

Saint-Norbert Guided Walking Tour

Saint-Norbert is a region that truly deserves your attention : it is rich in history, and encompasses the grounds on which many decisive events took place, building towards the creation of Manitoba and the Francophone culture that we enjoy today. 

On this tour you’ll learn more about Louis Riel, La Barrière, Father Noël Ritchot, the outdoor chapel and the devastating floods. Ask yourselves why is there a building that says “La Boucherie” and another that says “La Banque”, or who is Napoléon?

When? Wednesdays at 1:00 pm and 4:30 pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 1:00 pm, and Saturdays at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Where? Head to the McDougall House in Place Saint-Norbert, at 3514 Pembina Highway.

How long? It’s an hour and a half long.

How much? This tour is also free! Reservations are recommended so give Tourisme Riel a call at (204) 233-8343 or email info@tourismeriel.com to save your spot.

The “Moccasins Walk” Tour

Back to the Saint-Boniface Museum, they offer a second tour that talks about the history of the Métis peoples. For example, there are two monumental locations named after important Métis figures : Esplanade Riel and Elzéar Goulet Park. 

This guided tour revolves around the Métis, the michif (their language), but also the absolute force of the Red River as one of the many symbols of the métis culture.

Go back in time and discover the importance of the Red River colony and how they shaped our province and its heritage.

When? Daily at 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm.

Where? Start at the Saint-Boniface Museum at 494 Taché Avenue.

How long? Just one hour!

How much? Another free tour? Yes please! Reserve your spot online!