St. Martinville
Often considered the "mother city" of the Cajun settlements in Louisiana, St. Martinville is the parish seat of St. Martin Parish and a picturesque Main Street community. The centerpiece of the town is the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, which was the center of both community and religious life for the Acadian settlers that came to south central Louisiana.
Understand
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[edit]- 1 St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center, 125 South New Market St, ☏ +1 337 394 2258. Tu–Sa 10AM–4PM. Contains the African-American Museum and the Museum of the Acadian Memorial. Adult $3, 12 years and under free.
- 2 Evangeline Oak Park, 121 S New Market St. Here you'll find the Evangeline Oak which figures as the local legendary meeting place of the star-crossed lovers from the poem Evangeline by Henry Longfellow, a rather sacrosanct novelty in this town.
- 3 Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site, 1200 N Main St, ☏ +1 337 394-3754. Daily 9AM–5PM. This park features the Creole plantation house Maison Olivier, an Acadian cabin, and an Acadian farmstead with slave quarters on the Bayou Teche. Prepare to pony up $4/person, unless under 3 or over 62, in which case it's free.
- 4 Saint Martin De Tours Church, 133 S Main St, ☏ +1 337 394 6021. Church erected by Acadian refugees around 1840 that is more or less the centerpiece of St. Martinville.
Do
[edit]- 1 Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, 5400 Levee Rd, ☏ +1 337 229-4764, toll-free: +1-888-677-7200, lakefaussept@crt.la.gov. Daily 6am-10pm. Some lovely swamp country in the heart of the Atchafalaya Basin here, you can rent a canoe or kayak or hike on several trails. Odds are in your favor you'll encounter alligators and mosquitos. Camping/cabins are also available here. $3, free for children under 3 or seniors over 62, surcharge to camp or rent boats.
- 2 Lake Martin, ☏ +1 337 229 6173. Some more very aesthetic swamp scenes here. If you have a boat, you can immerse yourself in this environment with Spanish moss covered cypress trees and quiet waters.
- 3 Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours, 1151 Rookery Rd, ☏ +1 337 230 4068. Swamp tours in pirogue type things on Lake Martinville, a pretty fun activity with a guided host that is recommendable, but kayaks can also be rented for self-exploration, or you could just visit the lake on your own.
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[edit]The most authentic experience would probably be staying in cabins or a tent at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park or similarly in a tent at Champagne's Swamp Tours, but there is also a bed and breakfast on Lake Martinville for those who want more comforts.
- 1 Maison Madeleine B&B at Lake Martin, 1015 John D Hebert Dr, ☏ +1 337 332 4555. This B&B is situated in a distinctive looking cottage with Cajun touches and is quite homey, with music and antiques, etc.