Terrebonne Parish

Terrebonne Parish waits just southwest of the New Orleans metro area but feels a world apart. Here, you’re clearly in Cajun country. Terrebonne is pronounced “tair-a-bone” and means “good land” in French. It lives up to that name. The sugar cane and oil fields that it contains, coupled with a robust seafood industry, have made it a true economic center of Louisiana. The boomtown of Houma bills itself as the “Venice of Louisiana” with its many bridges and waterways. Like other southern Louisiana parishes, Terrebonne may be best seen by boat. Houma’s downtown marina allows boaters to sail right into town, tie up and stroll off to find a seafood dinner. In other areas, going by car or on foot is simply not an option. To explore the extraordinary Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll need something that floats. No matter the mode of transport, there’s plenty to discover here.