Roncesvalles Roots Walking Tour

About the Walking Tour

Visitors to the Roncesvalles Neighbourhood are always curious about its name. Those who live here call it Roncie, or Roncey. People who speak French may think they have the answer but they’d be dead wrong (it’s not French!). Who was the man who stuck us with this name? 

Discover how one man, Colonel Walter O’Hara, came to name so many of the streets in this west-end neighbourhood, including the famously unpronounceable “Roncesvalles”. Enjoy humourous skits presented by the Sunnyside Historical Society, including the incident where a letter in O’Hara’s pocket saved his life. Hear a popular theory as to why Roncesvalles stops abruptly at Queen Street and why the land was divided into parcels in the nineteenth century.

Please note that active participation in the tour is highly encouraged. Be prepared to join in singing the Marseilles as we re-enact the battle of Roncesvalles and the defeat of Colonel O’Hara’s troops. If you are lively, you may be chosen to play a French arresting officer, a house maid, or other small part. No acting experience or fancy accent needed. Be ready for some fun!

This tour will be led by Meghan Edmonds and the Sunnyside Historical Society.

Further Information

This tour runs rain or shine and lasts approximately 70 minutes. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and consider bringing sunscreen and water to make your tour as enjoyable as possible.

This tour covers approximately 1.7 kilometers in distance, and takes place mostly on city sidewalks. Please be aware there are some grade changes on the route.

If you have any questions prior to the tour, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have any issues finding the group on the day of the tour, you can reach staff on-site at (647) 542-3450.

This tour uses individual audio headsets. All registered participants will be provided with an individual headset that will allow you to hear the live tour guide throughout the tour.

If you share our passion for accessible and inclusive heritage programming, we invite you to make a donation while on the tour to help fund one of our next walks. Staff can accept donations via credit or debit card onsite, and gifts of $20+ will receive a charitable tax receipt. Cash donations will not be accepted.