Tourism Winnipeg

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Pass over the spectacular Esplanade Riel Pedestrian Bridge across from The Forks and you’ll find yourself in St. Boniface, founded in 1818 by Bishop Provencher. It is home to one of the largest francophone communities west of the Great Lakes and is also the birthplace of Louis Riel, the Métis leader who founded Manitoba. St. Boniface is truly reflective of its French heritage. Here you can stroll along le boulevard Provencher while stopping in at boutiques and quaint cafés along the way. Visit exhibitions, enjoy horse-drawn or walking tours and view more than 35 designated historical sites in this culturally rich area.

Location: The approximate boundaries are the Red River to the west, Misson St and the Red River to the north, Lagimodiere to the east and Carriere St to the south. Located 8.8 km from downtown and 17 km from the airport.

How to get there: From the airport, turn onto Wellington Ave and then right onto King Edward St (Route 90). Stay left, take the ramp on the right to Portage Ave and turn left on Portage Ave to go east. After 3 km, turn right on Broadway and then left on Main St. Turn right onto William Stephanson Way over the Provencher Bridge in St. Boniface.

Bus routes: 10, 14, 19, 43, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 59

Top Places to Eat

• A hidden gem tucked away in a residential area, Chez Sophie is a quaint neighbourhood bistro offering a cozy atmosphere and classic French cuisine from beef bourguignon to moules et frites. 248 avenue de la Cathédrale, 235-0353, http://www.chezsophie.net
• Savour French Canadian eats like poutine and tortière while taking in live music from blues to funk to jazz at bustling Le Garage Cafe. 166 Provencher Blvd, 237-0737. http://www.legaragecafe.ca
• Promenade Bistro offers gorgeous views of The Forks and downtown skyline. French bistro favourites anchor the menu, including silky lobster bisque and a generous tuna Niçoise salad. 130 Provencher Blvd, 233-7030.
• French bistro Resto Gare serves up authentic fare in one of the city's most elegant dining rooms. Dark wood framing, grand lighting fixtures and the railcar lounge area harkens to the majestic days of rail travel. 630 Des Meurons, 237-7072. http://www.restogare.com
• For a romantic night out on the town, visit the intimate eatery Step’n Out. Twinkling lights, photos of Hollywood stars and a collection of vintage miniature shoes decorate this French Quarter hot spot renowned for its creative menu that takes advantage of seasonal produce. 157 Provencher Blvd, 956-7837. http://www.stepnout.ca/

Top Places to Shop

• Francophone bookworms head to A la Page for the largest selection of French children’s books in the city, along with gifts and magazines. 200 Provencher Blvd, 233-7223.
• Bijou carries an eclectic collection of stylish, handcrafted jewellery that makes a statement. Husband and wife team owners, Ashiq Katoo and Léonie Coulson and partner Glen Kennedy are the creative masters behind the stunning, original jewellery displayed, and work with clients to create custom pieces. 190 Provencher Blvd, 800-2170. http://www.bijoutreasures.com
• Friendly, knowledgeable staff at CKW Handbags help complete any outfit with expert advice and fashion-forward handbags from approximately 10 collections. 104-147 Provencher Blvd, 233-3327. http://www.ckwhandbags.ca
• Pick up a piece of Manitoba art at Wayne Arthur Gallery. This gallery and shop showcases painting, sculpture, print-making, mixed media, pottery, jewellery, glass and photography by local artists. 186 Provencher Blvd, 477-5249. http://www.waynearthurgallery.ca

Top Things to See and Do

• Journey back in time to the fur-trade era with a visit to Fort Gibraltar. The fort is a reproduction of the original fur trade post built by the North-West Company around 1810. In summer, costumed interpreters guide visitors through this historical site, while in Feburary it is part of the annual winter festivities of Festival du Voyaguer. 866 St. Joseph St, 237-7692. http://fortgibraltar.com
• Located in St. Boniface City Hall, La Maison des Artistes is an artist centre of contemporary art that works with the francophone community in Manitoba and the French-speaking population at large. Take a walk through the impressive sculpture garden (jardin de sculptures) on site or check out exhibitions featuring local artwork. 219 Provencher Blvd, 233-5074. http://maisondesartistes.mb.ca/english
• Winnipeg’s oldest building—an oak log building originally used as the Grey Nuns’ Convent—houses the Le Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum. An impressive collection of artifacts and displays in French and English explain the history of French-Canadian and Metis communities in Western Canada. A special exhibit is dedicated to Louis Riel, the “father” of Manitoba. 494 Taché Ave, 237-4500. http://msbm.mb.ca
• St. Boniface City Hall is a three-storey, red brick building that was home to St. Boniface’s civic government for nearly 70 years, prior to amalgamation with Winnipeg in 1972. Inside, the Riel Tourism bureau offers information for attractions and events throughout St. Boniface and French Manitoba. 219 Provencher Blvd, 233-8343. http://www.tourismeriel.com
• One of the city’s major architectural landmarks, St. Boniface Cathedral attracts thousands of visitors each year. The current cathedral is the fifth one built on this site since 1818. It incorporates the facade and remaining walls of the 1908 building before it was destroyed by fire in 1968. 190 ave de la Cathédrale, 233-7304. http://www.cathedralestboniface.ca/