In 2026, the City of London celebrates 200 years of history. The French-speaking community also wishes to mark this occasion by highlighting its presence, its contribution and its role in the vitality of the city - past, present and future.
This page aims to bring together Francophone initiatives related to the Bicentenary, mobilize the community and provide a space for participation and visibility.
To discover all the official Bicentennial initiatives, visit the City of London's main page: London200 (The page is in English with automatic translation option available)
There are many ways to get involved in the Bicentennial celebrations!
Contribute to the London 200 facts project
Share facts, stories or memorable moments related to the French-speaking community in London to contribute to the initiative. Forest City Facts. Contact us to find out more or to submit an idea!
Link your event to the Bicentenary
Organizing an event in 2026? You can link it to the Bicentennial celebrations.
- Use the official visual identity (Download the logo kit below)
- Add the Bicentenary to your communications
- Submit your event for broadcast on the official platform
Use a common keyword
Useful links
Historical landmarks
Aboriginal presence and the founding of London
Archaeological records show that the London area has been inhabited by aboriginal peoples for over 10,000 years. European settlement began in 1793, when Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe chose the Forks of the Thames as the location for the province's capital. The London Township Treaty was signed in 1796 between the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation and the British Crown for a 12-mile square parcel of land north of the Thames River.
On January 30, 1826, what we know today as London became a legal entity when Royal Assent was given to a provincial bill designating the Forks of the Thames as the new administrative and judicial center of the London district.
- Historical fact this land is located in the traditional territory of the
- Anishinaabek peoples (Ah-nish-in-a-bek),
- Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no- show-nee),
- Lūnaapéewak (Lenahpaywuk) and
- Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run)
- We recognize all treaties that are specific to this location:
- the Haudenosaunee Confederation two-row Wampum belt treaty / Silver wedding band chain;
- the Haudenosaunee beaver hunting grounds of the NANFAN treaty of 1701;
- the McKee Treaty of 1790;
- The London township of 1796,
- The Huron treaty of 1827 with the Anishinaabeg, and
- the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum from Anishinaabek and Haudenosaunnee.
- The three neighboring aboriginal nations of London and the county of Middlesex are :
- the Chippewas of the Thames First Nations,
- the Oneida Nation of the Thames; and
- the Munsee-Delaware nation
French presence in London
London's Francophone presence is part of a history marked by various waves of settlement - notably Franco-Ontarians, Québécois and, more recently, Francophones from international immigration.
Over the decades, the community has been structured around institutions, schools and organizations that have contributed to its vitality and recognition.
An evolving community
Today, London's French-speaking community is diverse and growing. It plays an important role in the city's cultural, social and economic development.