Lacombe Sylvan Lake Trochu

In Central Alberta, French settlers who chose to take homesteads or buy ranch land in the area were more frequently French or Belgian immigrants than French-Canadian or Franco-American, as was the case in Edmonton or Northern Alberta.

A socialist colony was established at Sylvan Lake by some 30 French families in 1906 (led by Dr. Tanche of Lille) but after two years, the group disbanded. Some returned to France, others stayed and took homesteads. The town of Trochu was more permanent. Initially settled by Armand Trochu, a French officer from Belle Isle, he was joined by a number of young officers, mostly bachelors who took on ranching and farming instead of the military life. Nonetheless, when the First World War broke out, most men rejoined their regiments, as obliged by a treaty between France and Canada.

Several religious communities established themselves in the region, notably the Sisters of Charity of Notre-Dame d’Evron and the fathers of Tinchebray, who began several parishes, encouraging French settlers to the region.