Swamps in St. Martinville Louisiana

Louisiana's swamp lands hold a special place in Louisiana culture. These marshlands are an extremely important ecosystem within the land and Cajun and Native American Indians have been living in harmony with these lands for centuries. From the lurking alligators to pristine lakes that wind through the state, you'll discover how special these swamps are to Louisiana. Take a guided swamp tour to see alligators, kayak through bayous and rivers or find that perfect cajun restaurant in between marshes to sample the local fare.

Bayou Teche, a waterway in south central Louisiana, meanders through St. Martinville, where birds wade among cattails, streets are shaded by century-old mossy oaks and people enjoy fishing, picnics in the parks and visits to historic museums.

The St. Martinville people are descendants of Beausoleil Broussard, an Acadian hero from the 1700s, and Bienvenu and the Duchamp families of French royalty, who fled revolution. Descendants from Senegal also share life in St. Martinville, and many residents still speak French.

These diverse ethnic groups host fun-loving Louisiana festivals: Boucherie, Mardi Gras, Pepper Festival, St. Lucy Festival of Lights, Okra and Acadian Memorial Festival/ Promenade on the Square and more. Seems like an all-play, no-work kind of place, but civic-minded citizens work all year to assure something enjoyable is happening around town. Visit St. Martinville, an All-American City Finalist along the lovely Bayou Teche. Many of its the buildings in its historic district are on the National Historic Register.