Crawfish Corner’s Opelousas location is known as a quality spot to get live or boiled seafood in Louisiana. Crawfish Corner even takes its supply out of state. At the Gator by the Bay Festival in San Diego, they boil 10,000 lbs of crawfish for festival-goers to enjoy.
This bronze statue was made in the likeness of St. Landry, our parish’s namesake. He was known as “St. Landerieus” and “St. Landry the Confessor” and was consecrated bishop of Paris in 650. During the famine of 650-651, Saint Landry sold all of his personal possessions, as well as some of the furniture and sacred vessels for the church, to feed the poor. In 651, Saint Landry founded a hospital dedicated to St. Christopher near the Cathedral of Notre Dame. The hospital exists today and is called the Hotel-Dieu de Paris. Under the direction of Saint Landry, the original church of St. Germain l’Auxerrois in Paris was built, and it became the parish of the kings of France. Saint Landry served as Bishop of Paris until his death, which occurred in 661.
He was buried in the Church of Saint-Germain l’Auxerrois, and today you can see his statue and frescos painted in St. Landry’s Chapel in the church. Although his tomb still exists, his remains were moved to another location during the French Revolution to prevent desecration. The current location of his remains is unknown. St. Landry’s Feast Day is June 10.
This statue was sculpted by Kim Bernadas, a New Orleans figurative and portrait sculptor with over 20 years of experience. It sits on the historic Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas right across from Java Square Café.
The statue of St. Landry was made possible by the Rotary Club of Opelousas.
Tony Chachere’s is a household name famous for the internationally shipped seasonings and family of food products that bear the name. Mr. Chachere himself was a native of Opelousas, and he developed his flavors right along the bayou. Now, his family has kept the food giant’s legacy in his city with Tony’s Country Store connected to the boxing and distribution factory located right along I-49.
The store is the perfect spot to purchase Louisiana-inspired cutlery, tableware, Parish Ink apparel, and novelties including Cajun French children’s books and dictionaries. You can also find all of the Tony Chachere’s family of seasonings and jambalaya as well as Cajun and Creole cookbooks and CDs. Fun gifts are not all that this little General Store holds. There’s also a section where you can view a video detailing the history of Tony Chachere and the company he built. During certain days, you can also view the production line where workers make sure the Tony Chachere’s products make it to your home.
Datz Creole is a food truck located on Union Street in Opelousas right next to Kelly’s Country Meat Block and Diner. Their daily plate lunches range from smothered sausage and tasso to heartwarming gumbo. Fridays at Datz Creole are reserved for delicious seafood dishes like shrimp étouffée and fried fish. If you’re interested in trying some truly traditional Creole dishes, on Saturdays, you’ll be able to try smothered tripe and pig feet with smoked meat.
You can grab plate lunches, boudin, cracklins, fried chicken, meat pies, and more at this locally owned Opelousas eatery.
Lafayette to Chretien Point Plantation Loop Tour
This 40-mile tour has a plantation, bayou views, and local artists. While no longer open to the public, the Chretien Point Plantation remains a historic landmark in St. Landry Parish and this bike trail will take you right past the sprawling estate and reportedly haunted site of a Civil War battle. Traveling this trail will also bring you through Grand Coteau and the Academy of the Sacred Heart. This historic school was founded in 1821 and is the site of the miraculous cure by St. John Berchmans of the terminally ill novice, Mary Wilson. It stands as the only Vatican-recognized miracle in North America and is featured on our Spiritual Trail as well.
Grand Coteau is a picturesque community with many other culturally and architecturally significant structures. Along the way, you can also visit the Church of St. Charles Borromeo. To the rear of the church is a cemetery filled with many old and interesting gravesites that reflect architectural styles ranging from Greek revival to Renaissance revival and Egyptian motifs of the 1870s and ‘80s.
Start: Acadiana park on Alexander Street in North Lafayette, the Acadiana Park parking lot.
0.8 Right on Louisiana Avenue.
2.2 Right on Pont de Mouton. Take an immediate left on LaJaunie Road.
4.2 Left on Gloria Switch Road.
5.5 Right on Wilderness Trail.
6.3 Bayou Wilderness Campground & Store. Good stop for drinks and snacks.
6.7 Left on Beau Bassin. Cross bayou and turn right at T.
8.6 Left on Catholique–at dead end sign.
9.8 Right on St. Esprit at T. 11.2 Right at T and stop sign on Hwy. 726.
11.6 Straight ahead on Kidder at Y.
12.5 Left on Brasseaux.
13.8 Right on I-49 Frontage Road.
14.1 Left on Hwy.182. Go under I-49. 14.4 Right on Frontage Road.
15.8 Left on Begnaud Road (near nursery). 17.4 Left at T.
19.1 Right on Hwy. 356.
19.2 Right on Chretien Point Road.
20.3 Chretien Point Plantation.
Start: Chretien Point Plantation to The Academy of The Sacred Heart. Left out of the gate at Chretien Point Plantation.
1.8 Right on Robert Daily Road.
3.1 Left on Sunset Strip (Hwy. 93).
3.5 Right on Hwy. 182 and Hwy. 93 in Sunset.
4.1 Left on Hwy. 93.
5.4 Left on Church Street (Hwy. 93) at the traffic light in Grand Coteau.
6.5 Academy of the Sacred Heart. Retrace your route back into Grand Coteau & continue on to Lafayette.
Start: Grand Coteau to Lafayette, at the traffic light in Grand Coteau. Left on Hwy. 93 East
0.1 Kitchen Shop.
4.5 Right on Bayou Fuselier road (EASILY MISSED!).
8.6 Left on Hwy. 726.
9.8 Right on Wilderness Trail—just after the bridge.
13.8 Bayou Wilderness Campground & Store.
14.5 Left at stop sign on Gloria Switch road.
16.0 Right on La Jaunie Road.
17.8 Right on Pont de Mouton. Cross bayou then turn left on Louisiana Ave. and go under I-10.
19.4 Left on Alexander
20.2 Acadiana Park.
Washington to Eunice to Sunset
Ride through the history of Cajun music on this route that takes you along the Cajun Prairie. Leave the sprawling live oaks and historic homes of Washington and move on to rice fields and crawfish farms as you make your way to Mamou and Eunice. You can pass by Fred’s Lounge in Mamou which has been a hub of Cajun music since 1948.
Near Eunice, consider a stop at the Savoy Music Center, home of well-known musician and accordion-maker Marc Savoy. Nice country roads will be your route back through rice fields until you reach the town of Branch when you will return to sugar cane territory. The only place for food and drink between Eunice and Sunset is a Chevron Station in Branch at the junction of Highways 35 and 365.
Sunset is the Rubboard Capital of the World made so by the largest rubboard in the world marking the town as well as being the base of operations for renowned rubboard maker, Tee Don Landry. Call ahead and you’ll be able to tour his key of Z frottoirs that are so popular in zydeco music.
Start: Washington Tourist Information Center on Main Street.
WASHINGTON to MAMOU and Fred’s Lounge:
Take Hwy. 103 West out of Washington.
0.4 Magnolia Ridge Plantation.
2.2 Arlington Antebellum Home.
6.8 Straight ahead on Hwy. 363.
6.9 Grand Prairie
7.2 Left onto Hwy. 748 at graveyard and church.
11.4 Straight ahead on Hwy. 748 at the junction with Hwy. 1169.
12.9 Junction with Hwy. 167 and Hwy. 10. Straight ahead on LeBois D’Arch Road. Do Not Turn on Hwy. 167 & 10.
14.3 Left at T and stop sign on Bellaire Cove Road.
16.4 Right on Lance De Cavalier Road (EASILY MISSED!). Brick house on right. Street sign with name of road was missing at the time of this writing.
20.4 Right at T onto Hwy.104 (Prairie Ronde Road near the Olivier Store).
22.8 Right at T and stop sign on Hwy. 104 & Hwy. 29.
23.1 Left on Hwy. 104. Follow the sign to Mamou.
31.0 Left at four-way stop and caution light on Sixth Street.
31.7 FRED’S LOUNGE ON THE LEFT.
MAMOU TO EUNICE:
Fred’s Lounge. Go left or south on Hwy. 104.
0.3 Left on Hwy. 95 at T and stop sign toward Chataigner.
3.8 Left on Hwy. 95 at T and stop sign.
8.9 In Chataignier, go right on Hwy. 29 to Eunice.
16.3 Left on Hwy. 13 at stop sign and caution light.
17.0 At the traffic light, cross Hwy. 190 and continue straight ahead.
Start: Cajun Music Hall of Fame
Right at T onto C.C. Duson Street.
0.4 Right on Hwy. 91 South.
0.9 Left on Hwy. 755 Spur (College Street).
1.4 Right on Hwy. 755 (by the Cemetery).
1.8 Left at T and stop on Hwy. 755 (LSUE Street).
6.4 Straight ahead on Hwy. 368 East & Hwy. 370.
9.4 Right on Hwy. 370 (Frey Cove Road) at T.
9.9 Straight ahead on Hwy. 370 West (McCain Road).
12.9 Left on Hwy. 365 East.
14.9 Straight ahead on Shultz Road at junction with Hwy. 13.
15.9 Straight ahead on PR1109.
16.4 Left on Hwy.1109.
17.4 Right on Hwy. 365 (Branch Highway) at T and stop sign.
23.9 In Branch, at the junction with Hwy. 35, continue straight ahead on Hwy. 365 (Branch Highway). Chevron Station & Deli will be on your left.
28.4 Right at T and stop sign on Hwy. 95 & Hwy. 365. Then immediately turn left on Hwy. 365 (Choppy’s Road).
29.6 Left at T on Mary Alice Road
31.5 Right on Hwy. 356 (Peach Bloom Highway)
33.7 Left on Hwy. 356 in Bristol.
35.8 Left on Chretien Point Road (EASILY MISSED!).
36.8 Chretien Point Plantation.
38.6 At yield sign, continue straight ahead. Turn right at stop sign.
38.8 Right on Highway 182 into Sunset.
40.4 Sunset Town Hall on left. Bed & Breakfast available in Sunset and Grand Coteau. Historical attractions and a good restaurant are located in Grand Coteau.
Washington to Breaux Bridge
This 40-mile journey will take you through Opelousas, Sunset, and Grand Coteau along the route from Washington all the way south to Breaux Bridge. Washington was a thriving steamboat town in its heyday and today is home to the Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant and a plethora of historic homes. You can grab a map at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center that marks some particularly notable locations including haunted locales and antique shopping opportunities.
Opelousas is known as the “Zydeco Capital of the World” and is the home of pioneers of the genre including Amédé Ardoin and Clifton Chenier. You’ll pass by plenty of art downtown denoting its musical history. While in Opelousas you can stop by Yam Country Pies on Grolee street. This family-run business is the destination for sweet dough pies in the area. You can let their spicy tea cakes or sweet cream-filled pies fuel the next leg of your journey.
In Breaux Bridge, you will arrive at the “crawfish capital of the world,” which celebrates the famous crustacean every May with the Crawfish Festival. Stop for a meal and maybe a Cajun two-step in one of the local dance halls.
Start: Washington Tourist Information Center on Main Street. Take Hwy.103 East (St. Landry Veteran’s Memorial Highway) out of Washington.
0.7 Go under Interstate 49.
1.5 Right on Hwy.743.
3.9 Right on Hwy. 744. Easily missed!
4.2 Left on Bay Ridge Road (small country road).
5.0 Left at T and Stop on Frontage Road (following I 49).
7.6 Right at T and Stop. Go under I 49. You will be on East Prudhomme in Opelousas.
8.5 Left on Tunica Street at 4-Way Stop. Tunica changes name to Wallior.
9.1 Right on Grolee.
9.4 Lombard Street. Tony Chachere Seasonings Factory will be to the right on Lombard. Call ahead at 337-948-4691 if you would like a tour of the factory.
Note: At the intersection of Grolee and Main Street, you can walk your bike 1/2 block to the Opelousas Museum on Main Street. At this museum, you can learn the history of Zydeco Music as well as the history of Opelousas.
9.5 Continue on Grolee to reach Market Street.
9.8 Left on Market Street.
10.0 Corner of Landry and Market Street. In this area has Back in Time and Java Square, two cafés with excellent food and great coffee. You also have some shopping options available with Wildchild Essentials.
10.0 Continue on Market Street to leave Opelousas.
10.8 Left on Bertheaud Ave.
11.0 Right on Union Street (Hwy. 182). There will be moderate traffic on this stretch of road in Opelousas, but there is a shoulder. And the traffic will lessen as you leave the city.
19.7 Hwy. 95. You can take this road to reach Chretien Point Plantation. You are now in the town of Sunset.
20.1 Budd Street. La Caboose Gift Shop on Bud Street. Get ready for a left-hand turn.
20.2 Left on Hwy. 93
20.9 Grand Coteau. Follow Hwy. 93 through Grand Coteau.
21.4 Traffic light at the intersection of Hwy.93 and Church Street. To visit the Academy of the Sacred Heart, turn left on Church Street.
22.0 Continue on Hwy.93 East toward Arnaudville.
26.1 Right on Bayou Fuselier Road. Easily missed!
30.2 Left on Hwy. 726.
31.4 Right on Wilderness Trail.
35.4 Bayou Wilderness Campground and Store.
35.4 Left on St. Clair at Y.
37.2 Right at T and Stop on Hwy. 354.
39.6 Straight ahead on Hebert Road. Do not follow 354 to the right!
41.0 Right on N. Berard Street (Hwy.31).
41.5 Junction of Hwy. 94 and Hwy. 31. Continue straight on Hwy.31 to reach downtown Breaux Bridge.
42.4 Left on Bridge Street at traffic light.
42.6 Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center in Breaux Bridge.
The Ave Maria Shrine is located along the Prairie Ronde Highway between Eunice and Opelousas and north of Lawtell. This shrine is the site of multiple reported miracles including visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, claims of healing, and answered prayers.
In 1996, the Ave Maria Rosary Group built a replica of the original Fatima Shrine. Everyone is invited to visit the shrine and offer prayers.
These painted fiddles located at the corner of Court and Landry Streets in Downtown Opelousas reveal scenes of the Zydeco Capital of the World. The project was coordinated by Robbie Sebastien for the Opelousas Tricentennial celebration.
Featured artists include Michelle johnson-Colligan, Sue Boagni, Cindy Pitre, Cathy Hebert, Neketta Guillory, Shantall Rovairs, Robbie Sebastien, Michelle Fontenot, Morgan Glasscock, Ivy Carriere, Kristy Lalonde, Gabrielle Janice, Gerry Soileau, and Larry Primeaux.
DezMeaux’s Boudin, located in Opelousas, is your stop for authentic Creole boudin. Their decades-old boudin recipe will have you watering at the mouth. If you want a taste, make sure you get there early. This boudin stop sells out fast.
Tip: try the chicken wings stuffed with boudin. They’re a favorite among the locals!
Throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022, ordinary metal traffic boxes in Opelousas were transformed into vibrant canvases. These works of art showcase the community’s character and culture in celebration of the city’s tricentennial.
Jerome Ford | 970 East Landry Street
Sue Boagni | 162 South Court Street
B.J. Smith | 1943 South Union Street
Gerry Soileau | Corner of Vine and Market
Ke’Shawn Collins | 499 West Church Street
Rebecca Henry | 199 East Bellevue Street
Alicia Jonson-Black | 6011 I-49 South
Theon Guillory | 201 South Bullard Street
Michelle Fontenot | 2364 South Union Street
Ayla Voitier | Intersection of Union Street and Creswell Lane
