Former Guigues School & Resto-Bar Chez Lucien

Photo source: Wikimedia Commons

One of the two commemorative plaques that bear witness to the epic struggle of Ontario's Francophones to save their schools and maintain French as a teaching language. The plaques recall that École Guigues was a centre of the Francophone rights movement in Ontario.

Source: Unknown artist, University of Ottawa's Archives, CRCCF, Fonds Association canadienne-française de l'Ontario.

Celebrations of French at Guigues school, in 1949.

Photo source: Bar Chez Lucien

Near the former Guigues school, this small neighbourhood restaurant bar has been the meeting place for the bons vivants of Ottawa's Francophone community.

Ideal for the aperitifs at the end of the day, the atmosphere is warm, even festive at times.

The burgers are excellent, as are the plates made with fresh, local ingredients. And relax while enjoying one of the excellent beers available on the menu.

After a good dinner or a drink at Chez Lucien, would you like to discover the Francophone theatre scene in Ottawa and its region?

La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins, created in 1999 by four French-language theatre companies, is the place to be for high-quality plays, concerts, and other cultural events.

Photo source: Wikipedia, by SimonP.

The Bain Champagne's former building is located right next to the Nouvelle Scène.

The Bain Champagne was a popular public bath nearly a century ago. In fact, this type of establishment was common in the working-class neighbourhoods of large cities, where the population had little access to facilities adapted to personal hygiene and health.

If you're in the area a little longer, take advantage of C'est Bon Ottawa's culinary discoveries! C'est Bon Ottawa offers unusual activities to discover the richness and flavours of local cuisine, as well as the products and actors of the region.

Depending on your time, guided gastronomic walking or biking tours are offered by neighbourhood: the Byward Market, the Lowertown, or evening culinary experiences.

Chef Andrée Riffou, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu Paris, Ottawa campus - the only Cordon Bleu campus in North America! - who created this business in 2009. In 2016, Chef Georges Laurier and entrepreneur Stefanie Siska took over the business.

Chef Georges, a Quebecer from Gatineau, has been in the business for over 40 years. He participated in the 1986 Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, opened his own restaurant in 1995, and developed his passion and know-how for boreal cuisine through various chef positions in high-end restaurants in the region.

Stefanie, who hails from Northern Ontario, is a self-proclaimed and passionate foodie. Stefanie is a firm believer in the gift of food, and the know-how behind its transformation to allow for better discovery of local terroirs.

Let Stefanie take you through the streets of Ottawa!

To make an appointment, contact C'est bon Ottawa directly.

For the Younger Ones

C'est Bon Cooking's Teen Chef mini-courses and camps for youth aged 12 to 17 are designed to introduce, teach and discover the fundamentals of cooking. This could be a good idea to keep your kids busy in an original way for a few hours…

In front of the former Guigues school, two commemorative plaques bear witness to the epic struggle of Ontario's Francophones to save their schools and maintain French as a teaching language. The plaques recall that École Guigues was a centre of the Francophone rights movement in Ontario when the government wanted to limit French-language education to the first two years of elementary school.

The outcry, particularly at École Guigues in 1915-1916, forced the government to moderate its policy and in 1927, bilingual schools were officially recognized. Thanks to their protest, this school still represents a strong symbol in the Franco-Ontarian identity and memory.

Chez Lucien

A few metres away from the former Guigues school, you can find the restaurant bar Chez Lucien. This small neighbourhood restaurant bar has been, and still is to some extent, the meeting place for the bons vivants of Ottawa's Francophone community.

La Nouvelle-Scène

In the same area, la Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins, created in 1999 by four French-language theatre companies, is the place to be for high-quality plays, concerts and other cultural events.

Beyond the shows, you will meet representatives of the region's Francophone community, known for its warm welcome.

Le Bain Champagne

If you ever go to La Nouvelle-Scène, don't miss out on the Bain Champagne next door.

The Bain Champagne was a popular public bath nearly a century ago. In fact, this type of establishment was common in the working-class neighbourhoods of large cities, where the population had little access to facilities adapted to personal hygiene and health. At the Bain Champagne, people had access to a pool and free showers.

The building is now dedicated to other activities. However, you will be able to discover on the spot a series of tiles and mosaics in commemoration of this time.