The falls were named after the Recollet Fathers who were the first white men to use the French River while they were engaged in missionary work in the early 1600’s.

There is a pedestrian suspension bridge, which offers scenic views of the French River Gorge,

The French River Visitor Centre First Nation and Aboriginal Advisory Committee organizes an annual pow wow open to the public in July.

Recollet Falls Trail: 4 km with return, moderate
This trail begins at the Visitor Centre and follows the edge of the French River Gorge, and ends at the historic Recollet Falls. The short portage around the falls has been walked by generations of First Nations, famous explorers, hardy Voyageurs, fur traders and missionaries.

Some history:

"The French River travels 110 km from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes. It serves as the boundary between Parry Sound District and Sudbury District while being the unofficial dividing line between Southern and Northern Ontario. The river served as a portion of the Cross Canada super highway of the 1600’s, connecting Montreal to Lake Superior via the Ottawa River and Mattawa River."

Visitor Centre INFO

A recipient of the Governor-General’s Architectural Award for public buildings in 2010, the French River Visitor Centre is located at the junction of the French River and Highway #69 – about 65 km south of Sudbury.

The Visitor Centre’s exhibits showcase the rich history of First Nations, French and English cultures that have lived, worked and travelled these waters over the centuries, as well as the river’s plants, wildlife and unique landscapes. The Centre offers local tourist information and a wide variety of specially selected sales items at the Ontario Parks store.

Visitor Centre Hours

• Open for the Season May Long weekend
  Spring: open Thursday to Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
  Summer: open 7 days a week 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
  Fall: open Thursday to Monday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
  Closed for the season Sunday before Thanksgiving Monday