La ligne bleue
Discover the city of Hamilton in a creative way!
An urban journey to discover the city of Hamilton! #HamiltonVilleAccueillante
Trivia
George Hamilton founded the town in his name in 1815. In 1816, Hamilton had a population of 668. In 2016, two hundred years later, its total population was 527,930, including one in four people born outside of Canada. So the impact of immigration on Hamilton's development is not new!
To date, between 3,000 and 4,000 immigrants come to the city each year and Hamilton receives almost 5,000 international students annually.
About La ligne bleue
Explore the 26 points of La ligne bleue's fun, interactive walk to discover the many facets of Hamilton - from art and heritage to historic streets, remarkable architecture and diverse cuisine - while learning more about the contributions of immigrant communities to Hamilton.
It is reasonable to allow two hours to complete the loop. But, take your time, stroll around and enjoy some food breaks along the way, at your own pace and in good company.
Enjoy your discovery!
La ligne bleue is an initiative of the Réseau en Immigration francophone du Centre-Sud-Ouest de l'Ontario and the Communauté francophone accueillante de Hamilton (CFA Hamilton) (page in french only) funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
There are several ways to help you discover Hamilton:
GOOD TO KNOW WHEN YOU ARE THERE:
You'll find the QR code for each point of interest, either on the point of interest window or on the floor, to explore the points of interest.
By interactive map
- Select each point directly on the map below to discover interesting, intriguing or amusing information about that point of interest.
By image
- Scroll down for an overview of the 26 points. Then click on the photo that catches your eye to see what's in place for that point of interest.
By francophone community
- (Coming soon!) You will soon be able to discover the highlights of the francophone community, recommended by those who participated in the project of La ligne bleue.
Consult the points of interest on the interactive map
Click on the photo to learn more!
OTHER EVENTS AND RESSOURCES
Other community resources and events that will help you integrate quickly Hamilton's life. Click on the image to learn more.
AFROJAZZ FEST HAMILTON
Welcome to the AfroJazz Festival Hamilton 2023, presented by the Canadian Centre for Family Unity (CCF), in partnership with RIFCSO and Centre francophone Hamilton (CFH).
We are excited to announce this new initiative of the Welcoming Francophone Community (CFA) of Hamilton, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and coordinated by RIFCSO. The AfroJazz Festival Hamilton is designed to celebrate African, Afro-descendant, and Francophone cultures, providing a platform for local and international artists to perform in front of a diverse audience.
This year's edition of the festival will take place in person on September 2nd from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Bayfront Park (200 Harbour Dr, Hamilton).
The chosen venue is home to Hutch’s Harbour Front, one of the points of interest featured in La ligne bleue.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Every February, people in Hamilton and across Canada participate in Black History Month activities and festivities that honour the heritage of Black Canadians and their communities.
In February, visit our website to find out about the activities our Hamilton partners are organizing for this celebration!
You can also visit the Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton - Niagara website, contact their newcomer settlement services or visit the Centre francophone de Hamilton website to find out about Black History Month activities.
FRANCO-ONTARIAN DAY
Since 2010, September 25 is recognized as Franco-Ontarian Day in Ontario. It is on this occasion that we celebrate the creation of the Franco-Ontarian flag, official symbol of the province since 2011. Across Ontario, Francophones are gathering to celebrate this day and to highlight the contribution of Ontario's Francophone community to the cultural, historical, social, economic and political life of the province.
In Hamilton, activities are organized in schools and in front of City Hall with the help of Hamilton Francophone organizations led by ACFO Régionale Hamilton. Participants are invited to come dressed in green and white to show their support for Hamilton's Francophone community and prizes are awarded to the best costumes!
Follow the website of ACFO Hamilton Regional (In french only) for the next date of flag raising.
SUPERCRAWL
Supercrawl is a free annual nonprofit music and arts festival on James Street North, where the first half of La Ligne Bleue begins, in Hamilton. Supercrawl fusions new and independent music with art installations, fashion, performance, literature, theater, and craftsmanship.
A team of artists and community builders from Hamilton founded Supercrawl in 2009 with the aim of highlighting the city's cultural vibrancy and eclectic arts landscape.
In 2023, the Centre francophone Hamilton collaborates with Corpus Dance Projects to present five sessions of visual performances during Supercrawl. The meeting point is very close to points 5 and 6 on La Ligne Bleue! For more information, click here (in French only).
FRANCO FEST
FrancoFEST is the largest francophone arts and culture festival on the Niagara Peninsula, usually held in late June - early July at Gage Park. Plan your summer visit by following their website for the next date!
Website: https://en.francofesthamilton.ca/
NEWCOMER DAY
Each year, the Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council (HIPC) hosts a Newcomer's Day to welcome newcomers, showcase services and make the city more welcoming to newcomers. Francophones are welcome!
In 2023, Hamilton's Newcomer's Day will be held on May 26, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at City Hall.
Follow their website for more updates!
National Francophone Immigration Week
Each year, in early November, the National Francophone Immigration Week brings together thousands of Francophones from across the country to celebrate the richness of cultural diversity and the contribution of immigrants to Francophone and Acadian communities.
Follow the official webpage (in french only) for upcoming dates and activities.
OTHER RESSOURCES
As part of the CFA Hamilton project, other resources have been developed to make Hamilton more attractive to French-speaking newcomers:
- Visit the web page dedicated to French life in Hamilton: www.destinationhamilton-ontario.ca
- An information booth on French language services in Hamilton are also available once you are here:
- Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton - Niagara, 1320 Barton St E, L8H 2W1
Recognition of Aboriginal land
#HamiltonVilleAccueillante
In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and recognize that the City of Hamilton is located within the traditional territories of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississauga peoples. This territory is covered by the "Dish with a Spoon and Wampum Belt" agreement. The latter is an agreement between the Haudenosaunee and the Anichinabe to share resources around the Great Lakes. We also recognize that this territory is covered by the 1792 "Purchase Between the Lakes" between the Crown and the Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation.
Today, the City of Hamilton is home to many Aboriginal peoples from Turtle Island (North America) and we recognize that we need to do more to learn about the rich history of this land in order to better understand our role as residents, neighbors, partners and stewards.
We stand in solidarity with missing and murdered Aboriginal women, girls, transgendered people and two-spirited people.