Neighbourhood Feature: St. Boniface

French-Canadian history meets downtown convenience in this historic Winnipeg neighbourhood
The exterior of 224 Bertrand Street.


St. Boniface is often referred to as the French Quarter of Winnipeg and is one of the most storied and charming areas of the city. It’s the birthplace of Louis Riel, the first Premier of Manitoba and one of the founders of Confederation. 

If you’re looking for a vibrant neighbourhood with incredible food, convenient amenities, diverse neighbours, and the largest winter festival in western Canada, look no further!

Close to Downtown

Located just across the river from downtown, St. Boniface is close enough to the hustle and bustle of city life to be convenient, but far enough from the noise and traffic to be a relaxing, comfortable place to live.

By bike, the ride to downtown is about 10 minutes. Most of the streets in St. Boniface are low-stress for cyclists, and the growing number of protected bike lanes in the downtown are making it a safer and more convenient ride every year. Many major public transit routes run through the area, so it should only be about a 13-minute bus ride to downtown. Walking downtown to work is also an option from most places in St. Boniface, but if you’re in a rush, you can get there by car in about five minutes.

St. Boniface is split into many sub-neighbourhoods, including Old St. Boniface, Central St. Boniface, Norwood Grove, and Glenwood. 

Things to Explore

St. Boniface also has many public spaces and entertainment, including parks, restaurants, shopping, and historical sites.

Whittier Park, Lagimodière-Gaboury Park, and Provencher Park offer plenty of green space for biking, cross country skiing, or enjoying a picnic on a beautiful summer day. Whittier Park is also home to Fort Gibraltar and Festival du Voyageur, a yearly celebration of French Canadian culture with live music, food, kid’s activities, and a popular beard-growing competition. 


If you’re looking for great restaurants or nightlife, St. Boniface also has you covered. Marion Street Eatery, Promenade Café and Wine, Resto Gare, and Le Garage Café are local favourites. When you’re done eating, head over to Chocolatier Constance Popp for a sweet treat.


Dominion Centre and Southdale Shopping Centre offer retail locations, along with scattered shops around the neighbourhood. The St. Boniface Hospital is nestled between the Red River, St. Mary’s Road, and Tache Avenue. There are also many English and French immersion schools for all ages in the area, including Université de Saint-Boniface.


The exterior of 513 St Jean Baptiste Street.


Who Lives Here

The median household income of residents in St. Boniface-St. Vital district is $70,857, according to the 2016 Canadian Census.

Residents are a mix of seniors, young professionals, and newcomers to Winnipeg. Combined with the sizable Francophone population, this makes for a diverse neighbourhood. The average number of people per household is 2.3, making the area busy but not too overcrowded.

Rental Opportunities

The exterior of 588 Des Meurons Street.


The St. Boniface Residents Association is well-organized and has a big voice in the developments in their community. We’ve worked with them on many occasions to produce high-quality, affordable rentals for a wide range of tenants. 

Many French-speaking newcomers and young families moving to or within Winnipeg want to be a part of the Francophone community and see St. Boniface as a desirable neighbourhood, but it’s welcoming of everyone. According to the 2016 Canadian census, about one-third of homes are apartments, with the rest being single- or semi-detached homes. 

Some of our projects in St. Boniface include:

  • 513 St. Jean Baptiste
  • 69/71 Ellesmere Avenue
  • 224 Bertrand Street
  • 588 Des Meurons Street


If you’re interested in renting one of our affordable luxury apartments in St. Boniface, check out our Properties page to view what’s available today.

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