Vive Les Voyageurs at Fort Langley

The Fort Langley National Historic Site hosts a number of events each year including Vive Les Voyageurs which celebrates French-Canadian culture in January.

In 2025 the event happened on the weekend of April 12th and 13th.

See the official Fort Langley website for details about the event.

Vive Les Voyageurs at Fort Langley

The Fort Langley National Historic Site hosts special events at different times of the year. For example, there are National Indigenous Peoples Day and Hawaiian Luau celebrations in the spring, followed by Canada Day and Brigade Days events in the summer. In the fall, there are Grave Tales Walking Tours, the Fort Langley International Ukulele Festival, the Fort Langley Cranberry Festival and Douglas Day celebrations. In the winter there is also the Vive Les Voyageurs Festival. It’s an annual French-Canadian cultural event.

Vive Les Voyageurs is a chance for everyone to discover and experience a selection of French-Canadian traditions and activities. The festival is family-friendly and features various things to do.

There are educational and interactive presentations throughout the event. There is live music by French-Canadian artists as well. Children can also get in on the fun. A designated area is set up for them to play. Food is another component of the festival. At the event there is a tasty selection of French-Canadian favourites including poutine and maple taffy.

This year marked the 14th annual Vive Les Voyageurs Festival. The event ran on Saturday, April 12th, and Sunday, April 13th. All festivities typically take place at the Fort Langley National Historic Site located at 23433 Mavis Avenue in the Town of Fort Langley.

See the official Fort Langley website for full details about the event.

Indigenous Elder at Fort Langley

Event Schedule

In 2025 the site opened for the event at 10:00 am and closed at 5:00 pm on both the Saturday and Sunday. The schedule of activities for this year is below. It was the same on both days. (Note: Exact times and details were subject to change.)

10:00 am – Trade Routes Presentation
10:30 am – Métis Moose Hide Coat Presentation
11:00 am – Presentation of Métis Beading
11:30 am – Beaver Trapping Techniques
12:00 pm – Taffy Tasting
12:30 pm – Blacksmith Demonstrations
1:00 pm – Presentation of Métis Beading
1:30 pm – Taffy Tasting
2:00 pm – Métis Moose Hide Coat Presentation
2:30 pm – Blacksmith Demonstrations
3:00 pm – Taffy Tasting
3:30 pm – Trade Routes Presentation
4:00 pm – Beaver Trapping Techniques

In addition to the above, between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm there were also cooperage demonstrations. The café and gift shop were both open too.

All of the above demonstrations and presentations are very interesting. Attendees learn so much about French-Canadian culture and what life was like at the fort and for Métis fur traders.

Maple Taffy Shack at Vive les Voyageurs

Admission Costs

Full access to the Vive Les Voyageurs Festival is included with general admission to the fort.

Daily prices vary depending on your age. This year tickets for adults between the ages of 18 and 64 cost about $9.00 each. Tickets for seniors ages 65 and older cost $7.50 per person. Everyone under the age of 18 can enter for free.

See the official Fort Langley website for full details about the event.

Vive les Voyageurs at Fort Langley

School Programs

There usually are special programs available for students of all grades. Teachers can register their classes to visit the fort during the week before or after the Vive Les Voyageurs Festival. This year, for example, the programs ran between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm on all weekdays from April 7th until the 18th. All levels of French are welcome, and the programs are offered in both English and French.

Participating classes are divided into four groups and there are four different stations to rotate through. Students learn all about Métis jigging, rope weaving, canoe voyages and maple taffy.

Click Fort Langley School Programs to learn more about this French Canadian-themed field trip opportunity.