Swamps in Ville Platte 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.

The thunder of hooves heard in Ville Platte each October would presumably warm the heart of Marcellin Garand, a former cavalry officer in Napoleon's army who is credited with founding this city in the northern reaches of modern day Cajun country. Here, his equestrian legacy is remembered during the Louisiana Tournoi, a one-of-a-kind horseback tournament, where riders wearing capes and costume armor vie to lance the most gold rings while racing along a rustic track. The event is held in conjunction with the Louisiana Cotton Festival, which honors the area's agricultural bounty with a downtown parade, a ball and visits by festival queens. Throughout the year, visitors find Cajun food and swamp pop music galore, a historic district straddling El Camino Real, the Spanish colonial-era trail connecting New Orleans to Natchitoches and easy access to Chicot State Park with its many acres of wooded, rolling hills and meandering, cypress-studded waterways.