Inauguration Of The Museum Of French Emigration To Canada

Paris, September 22 2006 –

An illustration of the special historical ties between Canada and France, this Museum was built in the small town of Tourouvre. On Saturday, September 30, 2006, Canada’s Ambassador to France, Claude Laverdure, and the President of the Communauté de Communes du Haut Perche, Guy Monhée, will inaugurate the Museum of French Emigration to Canada.Tourouvre, in the Perche region of Normandy. In the early 17th century, Perche was the point of departure for many French emigrants going to settle in “New France.” A number of major families in Canada—such as the Pelletiers, Gagnons, Tremblays, Rivards, Fortins, Bouchards and Drouins—can trace their roots back to this particular region. In the 21st century, these families from the Perche region can claim some illustrious descendants on the other side of the Atlantic: Céline Dion, Lynda Lemay, Isabelle Boulay, even Madonna.

The Museum is an interpretation centre for emigration from France and the Perche region to Canada, and aims to be the latest in scientific expertise on the phenomenon of French emigration prior to 1760, a gathering place, and a gateway to the future and to the forging of new relationships.

The Museum of French Emigration to Canada is a site of memories, but its mission is also to develop ties between French citizens—be they from Perche or elsewhere—and their North American descendants, through exhibits, meetings, genealogical exchanges, cultural events and youth activities. Demographic and genealogical data available at the Museum will allow visitors to piece history together and gain a better understanding of the social and individual context of the French emigrants who left their country to build a new one.

The Museum of French Emigration to Canada had a total construction budget of €2,950,000 and was built under a partnership between the Government of Canada, the Communauté de Communes du Haut Perche, the European Union, the Government of France, the Basse-Normandie region and the Orne General Council.