The Atchafalaya Basin Photo Courtesy of The Louisiana Tourist Commission

CAJUN COUNTRY

Bienvenue! Welcome to Cajun Country, the heart of French culture in Louisiana. Here you'll find a joie de vivre-a love of life-that makes it hard for visitors to leave! The French-descended Cajuns, or Acadians, began settling here courtesy of the Spanish colonial government in the 1760s after their 1755 expulsion by the British from Nova Scotia. Tucked away among the bayous and swamplands of the Atchafalaya Basin-now considered one of the last great wilderness regions of the continental United States-the Cajuns blended 18th-century French with other European influences and local Native American dialects to create the charming and unique Cajun French that you'll hear in this magical part of the world. And here is where you can savor that famous Cajun cooking, and Cajun and Zydeco music at their source.

If you are traveling through Cajun Country, a stop a long the way to any of the towns and cities below will offer you a true opportunity to experience the delightful Cajun influences that make this such a wonderful area to visit.

Where to Stop Along the Way?

Abbeville, LA
Abbeville is someplace special! On the bayou. Enjoy picturesque quaint Cajun charm, unique cuisine, museum, shops, historic district tours.

-Vermilion Parish
Scenic byways & waterways, agricultural priaries, swamps & marshlands, home to alligators, waterfowl & birding. Cajun cuisine & unique festivals .

BREAUX BRIDGE, LA
Crawfish Capitol of the World! Cajun cuisine & music. Art galleries, antiques, Hist. Downtown, B&Bs & campgrounds on 2 scenic byways!

CAMERON, LA
Come relax with us! Drive the Creole Nature Trail & enjoy beaches, shelling, crabbing, hunting, fishing, birding, wildlife refuges & the Jetty Fishing Pier.

CROWLEY, LA
Celebrate the rhythm of Cajun Prairie life with us at our festivals & museums. Enjoy Cajun/Zydeco music, eat our excellent Cajun food & much more! M-F 7am-4pm.

GRAND ISLE, LA
Fishing/beaches/camping/ St. Park/motels/camps/birdwatching, 100+ yr-old homes, Blessing of the Fleet & Fair in Aug. Fresh seafood. New Butterfly Dome!

HOUMA, LA
One hour SW of N.O. Swamp tours, salt & freshwater fishing, museums, gardens, festivals, Mardi Gras parades, Cajun food, music & fun!

JENNINGS, LA
Brick sidewalks, gas street lamps, museums, murals, antiques, birding, parks, wildlife refuge, live alligators, fishing & Cajun food. M-Sa 8:30am-5pm.

KINDER, LA
Experience culture, food & fun. Visit Grand Casino Coushatta! Canoeing, trottingbred racing, RV parks, hunting, fishing, hiking, parks, fests & fairs.

LAFAYETTE, LA
Start your Cajun Country tour in Lafayette for real Cajun food, Cajun & Zydeco music & fun!

LAKE CHARLES, LA
Discover our unique Cajun paradise. The Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, Historic Charpentier District, museums, festivals, horseracing & sizzlin' casinos.

LAROSE, LA
Restaurants, motels, fishing, birding, Grand Isle & Port Fourchon beaches, festivals, swamp trs & plantations of Lafourche.

NEW IBERIA, LA
Cajun & Creole FUN at every bend of a French LA bayou. Famous factories, gardens, mystical swamps & plantation homes too HOT to pass up!

OPELOUSAS, LA
History & Adventure in LA's third oldest city. Cajun& Zydeco music, hist. dist., casino, museums.

-St. Landry Parish
Basin Gateway, Zydeco Capitol, Cajun Prairie, Documented Miracle, Haunted Plantation, Scenic Byway, Friendly People. St. Landry Parish-It's Gumbo for Your Soul!

PATTERSON, LA
Explore the real Louisiana! Sample stunning plantations, unique museums, terrific festivals & the Atchafalaya Swamp all on the Cajun Coast.

RACELAND, LA
35 mi. SW of New Orleans. "Gateway to Cajun Country!" Cajun food, music, dancing, swamp tours, plantations, Gulf beaches & fishing.

RAYNE, LA
Frog capital of the world! 30+ frog murals, visitor info, live frog pond, great food, antiques, unique 10-cent store, N/S graveyard & annual Frog Fest.

ST MARTINVILLE , LA
Where "Cajun" began. Historic towns, Atchafalaya Basin, cajun food, swamp tours, camping, houseboats, B&Bs, hotels and our #1 attraction: Friendly People.

Information & photo provided by The Louisiana Department of Tourism