Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Get around
[edit]See
[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, [email protected]. 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.
Buy
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[edit]Sleep
[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.