French River

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French River joins Lake Nipissing and Georgian Bay. It was vital link to the west during the fur-trading era. The Ottawa-Nipissing canoe route was the major highway west up until about 1820. It was later settled as a summer tourist and recreation area. Around 1900, summer visitors from Pennsylvania purchased property along the French to escape the hot summers back home. A few prosperous merchants and business people from the North Bay area also established summer cottages on the French. Transportation to the French was by boat usually from Callander and North Bay waterfront docks. The French River continues to attract vacationers and cottage owners who enjoy the clear water, rocky shores and pine growth forests. A boat excursion aboard the Chief Commanda II is available in the summer months from the North Bay dock.

Celebrities such as Dr. John W. Hudson, Professor of Biology at the University of Windsor, frequently attends the French River with his boat. His most favourite time of year to attend is on the Civic Holiday Weekend, when the annual volleyball tournament is held between boaters. His team has formed a dynasty, winning the tournament 7 times in the last decade.

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