Where Acadians Settled:
St. Martinville, Louisiana
Built between 1830 and 1930, the St. Martinville historic district includes the St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, the parsonage and all buildings facing the church on Main Street, including the Petit Versailles Museum and Evangeline Oak. Stand under the spreading boughs of what some call America's most famous tree.
The Evangeline Oak supposedly marks the spot where the legendary heroine of the poem waited in vain for her true love, Gabriel. The statue dedicated to the character Evangeline is located at St. Martin de Tours Church.
Other sites to visit include: St. Martin de Tours Church, La Masion Duchamp, Old Castillo Hotel, and the Acadian House Museum.
St. Martinville is known as "le petit Paris."
Longfellow-Evangeline State Commemorative Area is a park located on the banks of Bayou Têche, at 1200 N. Main Street. This 157-acre park centers around an early 19th century Creole house. The park and structures interpret the history of the early Acadian settlers.
The St. Martin Parish courthouse houses early records as far back as the 1750s, handwritten in French and Spanish.
A bientôt!