Our programs offer a rich and varied education meant to open doors to teaching French and literature (from elementary school to university), public relations, arts journalism, editing and publishing. They also prepare you, as our alumni’s career paths show, for any positions that require advanced skills in summarizing and expressing ideas, in the private sector as well as in the public service, which is so important in Canada’s capital.

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.

Programs
“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
Student experience
Events

Discussion sur les enjeux actuels de la création llittéraire
The Département de français is pleased to invite you to a discussion on current challenges in creative writing with Professor Claudia Bouliane and our…

Entretien avec des diplômées du Département de français
As part of the Mois de la francophonie, the Département de français invites you to an interview with two of its graduates.

Book club at the 2023 Salon du livre de l'Outaouais
This event is part of the Salon du livre de l'Outaouais 2023.

OUR WRITER IN RESIDENCE

Graduate studies : Séminaires de l'automne 2023

Graduate studies : Séminaires de l'hiver 2024

Département de français at the 2023 Salon du livre de l'Outaouais
In the media

Chronique linguistique : La langue des soldats

Un pas de plus pour l’écriture inclusive au Canada grâce aux lignes directrices…

«Que notre joie demeure»: Kevin Lambert, voix multiples
The University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion. If you are interested in research in literature and the French language, you will benefit from the multiple theoretical and critical approaches represented among our faculty.
Contact us
Secretariat
Harry Kisoka and Elizabeth White
Simard Hall, room 202
60 University
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
Desmarais Hall, 8th floor
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]