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The ByWard Market in Literature

The ByWard Market in Literature
Susan Johnston talks to her group in front of the Chateau Lafayette on Plotlines and Pathways walk, May 2025.
Susan Johnston talks to her group in front of the Chateau Lafayette on Plotlines and Pathways walk, May 2025.

Join us for an interactive walk through Ottawa's ByWard Market area as we explore some familiar streets and landmarks through works of fiction and poetry. There are so many books we could explore, and so many neighbourhoods across Ottawa, but for this walk we'll stay in the area around the Byward Market.

We'll be doing some readings and/or discussing the choice of setting for selected works, and musing on what the location may be telling us about the meaning of the work as well as the cultural and sociological meaning of the location and of the ByWard Market in general, in the past and in the present.

The following are books we may touch on or read from ((there may be others):

Note: this is not an exhaustive list of work referencing, or set in, the Byward Market. There are lots more.



Location
Route

We'll meet outside Le Moulin de Provence, 55 ByWard Market Square, at the north end (York St. end) of the ByWard Market building. The walk will start promptly at 11:00. We'll walk in a loop around the market and finish back in front of Le Moulin de Provence.


Accessibility: There are some inclines around Major's Hill Park, the National Gallery, and the Chateau Laurier. If you have special accessibility needs or preferences, please drop Susan a line in advance.

Conveniences: There are plenty of snack and washroom options available for folks who arrive early or want to stick around after. While we won't have a lot of time for bathroom breaks, there are nice ones available at the Chateau Laurier!

About the walk leader

Hello! I’m Susan. I’m passionate about using radio, storytelling, and walking to help people deepen their relationship with Ottawa. I’ve hosted a morning show on CKCU-FM since 1999, and I've had the privilege of interviewing hundreds of writers and poets (and artists) of all kinds. In 2014, I co-founded Ottawa (de)Tours, a social enterprise with a mandate to help people explore and discuss contemporary issues, which operated for six seasons, and I still love a great walk.

Guide:

Susan Johnston

When:
Date:Sat Oct 4, 2025
Time:11:00 AM
Duration: 1 hour 30 min
Language: English
Where:
Start:Le Moulin de Province, York St. & Byward Market Sq
End:same
Area:ByWard Market
Distance:2.0 kms
Accessibility:

The walk will follow city sidewalks and paved paths, possibly some stairs.

Walker Sign-up

Signing up is not required for this walk. If you plan to attend, by signing up you will help us estimate the group size. Please submit your email and the number of walkers that will be attending with you below.

Gallery
Susan Johnston talks to her group in front of the Chateau Lafayette on Plotlines and Pathways walk, May 2025. The Dominion Tavern, music venue in Ottawa's ByWard Market. The ByWard Market Building, south (George St) end. Susan Johnston with the group on Plotlines and Pathways walk, May 2025.
Volunteer to Marshal This Walk