Sault's Rendez-Vous Festival Celebrates Francophone Diversity

New annual event showcases music, arts, and cuisine from across the French-speaking world.

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:05am

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The inaugural Festival Rendez-Vous des Francophones in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario brought together over 100 francophones from around the world, including visitors from Cameroon, Belgium, Eastern Canada, Louisiana, Quebec, Northern Ontario, British Columbia, and Winnipeg. Organized by the Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie, the three-day festival featured musical performances, arts and crafts workshops, dance classes, and a Flavours of the Francophonie buffet showcasing French recipes from across the francophone diaspora.

Why it matters

The festival aims to highlight the diversity within the French-speaking world, welcoming newcomers and celebrating the unique cultures, traditions, and talents of francophones from Quebec to Africa. In a city with a significant francophone population, the event provides an opportunity to strengthen community ties and share in the richness of the francophone experience.

The details

The festival kicked off on Friday with musical performances at The Algoma Conservatory of Music, including fiddler Pierre Schryer, a Sault native now living in British Columbia. Saturday featured arts, music, and dance workshops, as well as a Flavours of the Francophonie buffet featuring French recipes submitted by participants. The event concludes on Sunday with a breakfast at the AlgomaTrad Centre in Richards Landing.

  • The inaugural Festival Rendez-Vous des Francophones took place from March 22-24, 2026.
  • International Francophonie Day was celebrated on Friday, March 22, 2026 to kick off the festival.

The players

Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie

A volunteer-run organization based at École Notre-Dame-Du-Sault that typically hosts Francophone events in the city, including Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and a gathering for Franco-Ontarians.

Jessie Leveille

President of the Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie and an organizer of the Festival Rendez-Vous des Francophones.

Pierre Schryer

A Juno-nominated fiddler from Sault Ste. Marie who now lives in British Columbia and performed at the festival's kickoff event.

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What they’re saying

“Our mandate serves Sault Ste. Marie directly but we have representation from various countries at the Rendez-Vous.”

— Jessie Leveille, President, Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie

“My jaw hit the floor when I heard him play because he's phenomenal.”

— Jessie Leveille, President, Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie

“It's really cool to see a melting pot of different cultures that came together just for the love of music and the discovery of a new culture. Everybody's welcome.”

— Jessie Leveille, President, Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie

What’s next

The Centre Francophone De Sault Ste. Marie plans to make the Festival Rendez-Vous des Francophones an annual event, continuing to showcase the diversity of the French-speaking world and welcoming both francophones and non-francophones to celebrate music, arts, and cuisine.

The takeaway

The inaugural Festival Rendez-Vous des Francophones demonstrated the rich cultural tapestry of the francophone community, bringing together people from across Canada and around the world to share in the joy of music, art, and culinary traditions. The event's success highlights the importance of celebrating diversity and fostering cross-cultural connections within the francophone diaspora.