Frenchman's Bay, and the story of Ganatsekwyagon (NEW FOR 2023)

Welcome to Greater Toronto History Walks!

The Toronto region belonged to the French empire, that was fact, and a third of our history was under the flag of France.

That said, the full story of the French in Toronto and that of Ontario really started with Frenchman's Bay on the eastern side of Toronto. It was the site of many famous historical figures from Canadian and European history, or was it? Did they stop to rest on their way west? Or did they bypass Frenchman's Bay, so why was it named that?

The story of how the Bay was named is clothed in more questions than answers. Historical records have suggested that François de Salignac de la Mothe-Fénelon of Fenelon Falls fame set his sights on the little land locked Bay back in the late 1600s.

But what is for certain is that it is adjacent to one of the branches of the famous Toronto Carrying Place - east, we have talked and explored, the Toronto Carrying Place West and Teiaiagon which was an Iroquoian village on the east bank of the Humber River. Baby Point is the modern site today.

But this eastern branch with the village of Ganatsekwyagon, which was the gateway to the Trent Severn and the Kawarthas district, has a rich history of industry and commerce that dates back to the founding of Quebec, and the beginnings of Canada. This tour is indeed an outdoor history classroom.

The price of this tour is $15.00 per person which includes tip!

This walking tour begins at the Rouge Hill Go Station at 6251 Lawrence Ave E. This is a loop tour and returns to the start location after the walk!

Please e-transfer when BOOKING this tour. E-transfer to
walking@rogers.com to reserve a spot, and when booking please type in Frenchman's Bay History Walking Tour, with your email address in the subject/comment box.

Hope to see you there!