Cultural Heritage

In addition to its dynamic wildlife and scenery, the region is also recognized for its rich cultural heritage. Although the area has many cultures, it is best known for its Cajun culture, and is the center of Cajun cuisine, music, arts and folk traditions. The lifeways of local residents are directly related to the dramatic natural resources: hunting, fishing, crawfish farming and trapping are but a few examples. When in the area, experience just a sampling of our cultural heritage by following part or all of this itinerary.

Music

•Whiskey River, Henderson: Live music on Sunday afternoons from 4 to 8 p.m.; whiskeyriverlanding.net
•Lakeview Park Dance Hall, Eunice: In an old barn in an RV park; lvpark.com
•Liberty Theater, Eunice:   Live radio broadcast of Rendezvous des Cajuns every Saturday night.; eunice-la.com/libertyschedule.html
•Savoy Music Center, U.S. 190 between Eunice and Lawtell:   Acoustic jam sessions on Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.; savoymusiccenter.com
•Cafe Des Amis, Breaux Bridge:   Serves up live music and crawfish etoufee for breakfast on Saturday mornings.; cafedesamis.com
•La Poussiere, Breaux Bridge:   Only remaining traditional French club. Serious dancers on a serious dance floor.;lapoussiere.com

•McGee’s Landing, Henderson: Cajun, blues and more, Saturdays 7 p.m. and Sundays at Noon. mcgeeslanding.com

or tune in to:

KSLO, 1230 AM Opelousas

KOCZ, 103.7 FM, Opelousas

KRVS, 88.7 FM, Lafayette

WLRZ, 100.3 FM, Houma area

Additional events, attractions and recreation opportunities throughout the 150-mile region can be found on these regional sites:

Upper Region

Vidalia, Ferriday area (Concordia Parish)
Bunkie, Marksville, Mansura area (Avoyelles Parish)
New Roads, Morganza, Livonia area (Pointe Coupee Parish)

Bayou Teche Region

Eunice, Opelousas, Washington area (St. Landry Parish)
Lafayette, Scott, Duson area (Lafayette Parish)
Breaux Bridge, Henderson, St. Martinville area (St. Martin Parish)
New Iberia, Avery Island, Jeanerette area (Iberia Parish)

Between 2 Rivers Region

Baton Rouge area (East Baton Rouge Parish)
Donaldsonville, White Castle area (Ascension Parish)
Port Allen area (West Baton Rouge Parish)
Grosse Tete, Plaquemine, Bayou Sorrel area (Iberville Parish)

Coastal Zone Region

Morgan City, Patterson, Franklin area (St. Mary Parish)
Napoleonville, Pierre Part area (Assumption Parish)
Houma, Chauvin, Cocodrie area (Terrebonne Parish)

Main Street Communities

Learn more about the cities that have been designated Main Street Communities for their historic and diverse downtown districts.

Donaldsonville
Eunice
Franklin
Houma
Morgan City
New Iberia
New Roads
Opelousas
Plaquemine
St. Martinville

Historical Heritage

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park

We are proud to partner with Jean Lafitte National Historical Park with five sites in south Louisiana, two of which are in the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, LA tells the stories of the origin, migration and settlement of the Acadians and other cultures of the area. At the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, LA you can peer into the life of Louisiana's prairie Cajuns and enjoy Cajun music.