Le coin du livre: A Lifelong Commitment to Language, Learning, and Community

Since 1958, Le coin du livre has been more than a bookstore — it’s been a point of connection for generations of French-speaking families, educators, and students in Ottawa and beyond. Le coin du livre continues to do something rare, powerful and deeply meaningful: it keeps the French language alive and accessible in Ontario. Quietly rooted on 1657 Cyrville Road, it’s one of the last remaining French-language bookstores in Ontario run by a Franco Ontarian. And at the heart of it all is Nathalie Savard.

Nathalie started working at the bookstore when she was just 18. Her father was a steady presence there too — helping, encouraging, and passing on a deep respect for hard work and community. Over the years, the store became part of her rhythm. She read every book, learned the needs of each school board, and built relationships with teachers and librarians across the province. That trust didn’t come from a pitch — it came from showing up, year after year, with consistency, warmth, and care.

Today, Nathalie leads every part of the operation. She works directly with educators to build curated book lists. She handles school and board orders, organizes deliveries, stays in touch with publishers, and continues to read the new releases herself so she can recommend books with confidence and heart.

What makes Le coin du livre unique isn’t just the selection — though the shelves are full of thoughtfully chosen novels, picture books, bandes dessinées, and educational games. It’s the purpose behind it all: to give students access to quality French books, and to help preserve and strengthen the French language in Ontario.

For Francophone communities in this province, language is more than communication. It’s identity. Culture. Belonging. And at a time when French education often has to fight for space, Le coin du livre remains a place where that identity is nurtured, supported, and taken seriously.

But the bookstore’s reach extends beyond the Francophone community. It’s also a welcoming space for people who are learning French — whether they’re new to the language, raising bilingual children, or looking to reconnect with something they once knew. The shelves hold French-English dictionaries, grammar resources, language guides, and beginner readers, alongside cookbooks, novels, and essays for adult readers looking to expand their fluency or simply enjoy a good book en français. There’s something here for every level, every age, and every kind of reader.

That commitment became especially clear during the pandemic. When schools shut down and many families were left without access to learning materials, Nathalie didn’t wait to be asked. She put together learning kits — books, exercises, and games — and found ways to get them to students, including those in rural and underserved areas. Her goal was simple: to keep children reading in French, even when classrooms went dark. She understood how much language can slip when it’s not actively used — especially for young learners. And she did everything she could to make sure that didn’t happen.

Her connection to the French language isn’t just professional — it’s personal. And that’s reflected in every corner of the bookstore. The space is welcoming, familiar, and focused. There’s a feeling of being looked after — of being understood — whether you’re a parent buying your child’s first French book, a teacher building a classroom library, or someone just beginning their journey with the language.

Nathalie has always been a fighter – steady, determined, and driven by a deep belief in the value of French-language books and culture. She has spent her life building something that matters, not just for herself, but for generations of Franco-Ontarians. Nathalie’s work speaks for itself. For over 35 years, she has given her time, her care, and her knowledge to keeping French books in the hands of those who need them. And in doing so, she’s helped something larger endure — not just a store, but a sense of continuity, culture, and pride in the French language itself.

Le coin du livre remains, above all, a place of powerful dedication — where books are tools for connection, and where language is treated not as a product, but as something to be protected, shared, and passed on.

There are always exciting things happening at Le coin du livre, including special events and opportunities to connect with the community. Be sure to visit their website and follow them on Facebook to stay up to date on all that’s coming next!

Visit them at www.coindulivre.ca
Follow them on Facebook at facebook.com/coindulivre