Département de français
Welcome
Generally, you study geography to become a geographer, history to become a historian, philosophy to become a philosopher. So what can you do with a degree from the Département de français, which offers both literature and writing courses? The word “literaturist” doesn’t exist and the term “writer” can mean anything! But that undefined space itself has unlimited possibilities, and it’s where our study interests lie.
After a journey where you’re introduced to French-language literature (from every century, genre and background), to the history of the language, to the art of writing, to creative writing and to text editing, you’ll be able to find your own path. Our alumni now teach French or literature; write texts for politicians or magazines; edit government documents; publish novels, essays, plays or poetry; create blogs for the public; work in publishing houses or in the comedy scene; and much more.
Throughout your undergraduate or graduate program, you’ll be supported by caring, skilled professors who have received numerous awards and distinctions, run major grant-based projects and held research chairs. You’ll be able to take part in the life of our very active department, which, in addition to courses, offers symposiums, lectures by visiting professors, meetings with writers and all kinds of literary events.
The Département de français is a lively place in one of the country’s rare bilingual universities, located in an environment that’s made for learning.
We look forward to seeing you.
“During my time at uOttawa, I made friends and forged relationships that will last a lifetime. I am particularly grateful to the Faculty of Arts.”
Nikita Kamblé-Bagal
— B.A. (Lettres françaises avec mineure en psychologie) 2020
Our writer in residence
In addition to leading creative workshops and a book club in the fall and winter, Mishka Lavigne will teach two courses in the French Department: “Creative Writing I” (Fall 2025) and “Selected Theme – Adapted Works” (Winter 2026).
Mishka Lavigne's texts have been produced and developed in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, Haiti, and Mexico. She was most recently (in 2023) a finalist for the prestigious Siminovitch Prize.
Her play Havre, created at Troupe du Jour (Saskatoon), won the Governor General's Award in 2019. Copeaux, produced by Théâtre de Dehors (Ottawa), won the same award in 2021, as well as the Jacques-Poirier Award. Murs, first produced as a podcast by Transistor Médias, Créations In Vivo, and Théâtre populaire d'Acadie, earned accolades in France, was staged in 2023, and was a finalist for the Michel Tremblay Award in 2024.
In the media
Early Researcher of the Year Award
La palatalisation est-elle encore vivante en français au Canada ?
La possibilité d’un Goncourt pour Kevin Lambert
Contact us
Secretariat
Harry Kisoka and Elizabeth White
Pavillon Hamelin 4th and 5th floor
70 Laurier avenue E
Ottawa ON Canada K1N 6N5
Map
Office hours:
Monday to Friday
9 a.m. to noon and 1p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(June and August: close at 3:30 p.m.)
Academic Office
Undergraduate studies
Simard Hall, room 128
How to reach us
Fax.: 613-562-5973
[email protected]
Graduate studies
Simard Building, room 416
613 562-5800 ext. 5439
[email protected]
Administrative Agent
Myriam Bahri
Simard 216
613-562-5800
[email protected]
Directrice du Département de français
Mawy Bouchard
Simard 215
613-562-5800, poste 5923
[email protected]
Directrice des études de premier cycle
Geneviève Boucher
Simard 313
613-562-5800, poste 1105
[email protected]
Directrice des études supérieures
Claudia Bouliane
Simard 214
613-562-5800, poste 1109
[email protected]