Location: Saint Martinville
Top Things to do in Saint Martinville
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What to do and see in Saint Martinville, Louisiana (LA): The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Thomas Nelson (D)
Restaurants in Saint Martinville
1. Church of St Martin de Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
The mother church of the Acadians, this lovely 162-year-old church sits in the heart of charming St. Martinville.
Reviewed By TrueTexasTraveler - Amarillo, United States
This church building is absolutely stunning. While it still serves as the focal point of this Cajun town, the Catholic church originally ran in the town (as they did in France). It's fascinating to visit a place in the United States where this was the case. A visit here takes you out of exhibits about the Cajun people and culture and how they came to form the communities they did in southern Louisiana, and puts you right in the middle of an epicenter. The building is stunning, inside and out, and a walk through it and around town will truly leave you feeling like you're in a different world.
2. Acadian Memorial
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
The Acadian Memorial and its Museum honor the 3000 Acadians who arrived in Louisiana between 1764 and 1785, as well as their connections with the Cajuns of today. A mural, wall of names, memorial garden and audio tour await you in the Acadian Memorial, while the history of the Acadian people and their journey toward Cajun identity, including the Acadian Deportation Quilt, make up the Museum.
3. Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 67 reviews
Reviewed By mollyi868 - New Orleans, United States
I had no idea this existed, but when we drove by we immediately turned around to check it out. For only $4 a person we watched a short film about the Olivier family, the Acadians and the Creoles, walked around the museum, and had a guided tour through the Olivier Plantation. Our guide, Timmy, was very knowledgeable about the grounds and the history. The plantation is so beautiful and well preserved, I was amazed at how much of it was original. I will recommend this everyone I know coming to the area.
4. Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
5. Evangeline Oak
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 82 reviews
Reviewed By cindyp_nola - New Orleans, United States
Love the Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville. It's east to get find and parking is no problem. A beautiful natural monument to the Acadians
6. Evangeline Monument
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By FLChristianMom
This monument is not located at the Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site. This monument is located at the Saint Martin de Tours Mother Church of the Acadians (on the National Register of Historic Places) in St. Martinville. The yellow and white church takes center stage in downtown and stage left is the Evangeline Monument. In front of the Monument are tombstone plaques, some in pieces and some dating back to 1791. Of course none of this means anything unless Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's famous poem, Evangeline, is read beforehand. It is an eloquently written piece of history of the Acadian people and their expulsion from Novia Scotia to Southern Louisiana. There is a love story between Evangeline and Gabriel as well as descriptions of the topography, culture, and people of Acadiana. This is worth the trip alone to see the poem come to life. Also depicted in the poem is the Evangeline Oak located behind the church across the street heading toward Bayou Teche. It is a nice place to reflect on the Acadian history and see an exerpt of the poem on Longfellow's bust. It was a lovely day to stroll and we spent an hour at most. We parked on a side street for free and even heard the church bells after a funeral let out. It took us 15 minutes to drive from downtown Lafayette through back roads.
7. Acadian Memorial & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 21 reviews
Discover the story of the Acadians who arrived in Louisiana in the 19th century through a historical exhibit and a Memorial which honors all 3,000 who arrived with a mural by Robert Dafford and audio interactive, a Wall of Names, an Eternal Flame and a heritage garden. Don't miss the Acadian quilt.
Reviewed By janices531
I've been to the Grand Pre in Nova Scotia and this one is just as good or better an exhibit. I would definitely recommend.
8. LeBlanc Swamp Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 157 reviews
