Louisiana’s history is layered with colonization, rebellion, resilience, and culture. From the founding of Natchitoches in 1714 to the state’s pivotal roles in the Louisiana Purchase, the Civil War, and Reconstruction, its legacy runs deep. Key sites like Fort St. Jean Baptiste, the French Quarter, and the River Road plantations preserve the state’s colonial, Creole, and antebellum heritage. Louisiana is also home to remarkable small towns where history is lived. These 9 must-visit historic towns offer firsthand insight into the state’s diverse roots, architectural treasures, and enduring cultural traditions across centuries.
1. Natchitoches
Nestled along the Cane River Lake, Natchitoches (pronounced NACK-uh-tish) is Louisiana’s oldest permanent settlement, founded in 1714 by French explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. Established as a French outpost for trade with Spanish-controlled Mexico, the town’s rich history is evident in its well-preserved architecture and cultural landmarks.
The 33-block Natchitoches National Historic Landmark District showcases French Creole townhouses, brick-paved streets, and the iconic Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile, Louisiana’s oldest general store. Nearby, the reconstructed Fort St. Jean Baptiste offers insights into 18th-century colonial life.
Visitors can explore the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, home to Oakland and Magnolia Plantations, which preserve the region’s complex Creole heritage. Melrose Plantation, built by free people of color, stands as a testament to the area’s diverse history.
Natchitoches is also renowned for its culinary delight: the Natchitoches meat pie, a savory turnover filled with seasoned meat. The town’s annual Christmas Festival, featuring over 300,000 lights, parades, and fireworks, transforms the historic district into a winter wonderland.
2. St. Francisville
Tucked along the bluffs of the Mississippi River, St. Francisville is a town where the past lingers gracefully. Established in the early 1800s, it was once part of the short-lived Republic of West Florida and served as a crucial trading post between upriver planters and New Orleans merchants. Today, it remains one of the best-preserved examples of 19th-century Louisiana life.
Wander its quiet streets lined with live oaks and you’ll encounter homes that survived the Civil War, including Rosedown and The Myrtles Plantation, the latter known for its haunted legends. The town cemetery, high above the river, tells stories through ornate headstones and ironwork.
Historic churches like Grace Episcopal, shelled during the Civil War, stand as symbols of endurance. The town’s charm isn’t just architectural; it’s in the small bookstores, antique shops, and porch-front cafés that invite lingering.
3. Grand Coteau
Time moves differently in Grand Coteau, where centuries-old oaks stretch their limbs over quiet lanes and faith seems stitched into the soil. Founded in the late 1700s and shaped by French, Spanish, and Creole influences, this small Louisiana town is best known for its sacred heart, the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic girls’ school established in 1821 that remains one of the oldest continually operating schools west of the Mississippi.
The town holds a documented miracle recognized by the Catholic Church, one of the few in the U.S., adding spiritual gravity to its peaceful presence. Many of its structures, including the Jesuit cemetery and St. Charles Borromeo Church, have endured fire, war, and time.
4. Abbeville
Abbeville, founded in 1843 by French Capuchin missionary Père Antoine Désiré Mégret, sits at the heart of Vermilion Parish in south Louisiana. The town was built around the Vermilion River, which still runs through the center and serves as a focal point for community events and local commerce. Known for its strong Cajun and Creole roots, Abbeville offers visitors a look at authentic Louisiana culture without the crowds.
The town square is home to the historic St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church and the Vermilion Parish Courthouse, both central to the area’s identity. The Sam Guarino Blacksmith Shop Museum, a rare surviving example of early 20th-century trade, adds historical depth.
Abbeville is also known for its food festivals, especially the Louisiana Cattle Festival and the Giant Omelette Celebration, which honor local traditions.
5. Franklin
Franklin grew into prominence in the 1800s as a commercial hub for sugar plantations along Bayou Teche. Incorporated in 1820 and named after Benjamin Franklin, the town developed quickly thanks to steamboat traffic and the wealth generated by sugar cane. By the mid-19th century, it had become one of the most prosperous towns in the region.
Today, Franklin is known for its Main Street, where over 400 historic structures, many listed on the National Register, showcase antebellum and Victorian architecture. Wrought-iron balconies, gas lanterns, and towering oaks line the boulevard, giving the town a distinctive, preserved character.
The Grevemberg House Museum, built in 1851, offers insight into planter life, while the Shadowlawn Plantation Home and nearby cemeteries reflect the cultural and economic complexity of the area.
6. Covington
Founded in 1813 and located at the fork of the Bogue Falaya and Tchefuncte Rivers, Covington began as a key shipping point for goods like lumber, bricks, and farm produce sent downriver to New Orleans. Originally named Wharton, the town was renamed Covington, possibly after General Leonard Covington, and quickly became central to St. Tammany Parish’s economy.
While its early history is rooted in trade, modern Covington is known for its vibrant arts scene and preserved historic district. The downtown area features 19th- and early 20th-century buildings now home to art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Sites like the Covington Trailhead and Southern Hotel connect visitors to the town’s past while supporting local culture.
Covington also offers easy access to nature via the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile paved path that links historic towns across the parish.
7. New Roads
New Roads, established in the 18th century along False River in Pointe Coupee Parish, traces its origins to French and Spanish settlers. The town’s name comes from “Chemin Neuf,” or “new road,” built to connect the river landing to the parish seat. Over time, New Roads became a center of Creole heritage and remains one of Louisiana’s oldest communities with a strong French influence.
The town is known for hosting one of the state’s oldest Mardi Gras celebrations outside New Orleans, dating back to the 1800s, and for its deeply rooted Catholic traditions centered around St. Mary’s Catholic Church, built in 1907.
Visitors can explore preserved homes like the LeJeune House and enjoy scenic views along the False River, a former Mississippi River channel now popular for boating and fishing.
8. Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville holds a unique place in Louisiana’s history. It was the state capital from 1830 to 1831 and the first U.S. city to elect an African American mayor, Pierre Caliste Landry, in 1868. Located at the junction of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche, Donaldsonville was once a vital trade and transport hub for the sugarcane economy.
The town’s historic district includes over 600 buildings on the National Register, featuring Creole cottages, Italianate townhomes, and shotgun houses. Notable landmarks include the Ascension Catholic Church, founded in the 1770s, and the River Road African American Museum, which highlights local Black history, from slavery to political leadership.
9. Eunice
Eunice wasn’t founded until 1894, making it younger than many historic Louisiana towns, but its impact on Cajun heritage is unmatched. Named after founder C.C. Duson’s wife, the town quickly became a stronghold for French-speaking Louisianans who kept their language, music, and food alive through years of cultural pressure.
Today, Eunice is best known as the home of the Jean Lafitte Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, where visitors can learn about traditional crafts, storytelling, and the history of the Cajun people.
The town also celebrates Courir de Mardi Gras, a rural, community-centered version of the holiday that predates modern parades. Costumed riders on horseback gather food ingredients door-to-door, later used to cook communal gumbo.
