Vancouver’s 2010 French Quarter: Place de la Francophone

The friendly hosts will greet you  “Bonjour!” This is Place de la Francophone 2010 on Granville Island, Vancouver’s French Quarter during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games where you can celebrate the Games in French.  There is free entertainment with performers from Canada and all over the world, a sports bar, five stages, three exhibition locations and an exciting agritourism showcase which includes local producers and tourism information. And CBC Radio Canada broadcasts from inside the pavilion. Next door is Club Adrenaline, a sports bar where you can relax and watch the Games, dine on fine food and drinks from 9.30 pm  Every day, starting at 5.30, Big Nazo, a weird and wonderful troupe of crazy creatures perform the Grand Defile. And from 6.30 pm there are shows featuring performers from the Francophone world.

The pavilion operates under four tents near the False Creek Community Centre, with a main stage, food showcase, tourism exhibition and the sports bar where you can watch the Olympic events. There are  food booths in the entertainment area near the main stage.

Place de la Francophone is located in the eastern section of Granville Island on Cartwright Street.  You can get there by taking the free Bombadier streetcar from the Olympic Village Canada Line station, or cross False Creek by one of the water taxis.  Public transit also stops not far away with a short walk into the market area.

PHOTOS by W. Ruth Kozak