23 Jul 2018

Seven Brothers Oak Mural

2021-03-12T09:50:08-06:00

In this mural, local artist, Robert Tinney, depicts early settlers of the area enjoying music and dancing under the historic Seven Brothers Oak. Legend has it that John Henri Lastrapes ordered for seven oak trees to be planted, one for each of his sons. Mr. Lastrapes employees temporarily placed the seeds in whole as they had arrived to work late in the day. With such long days of working in the cotton fields, the seeds were long forgotten, and instead, one massive oak grew, forming a beautiful canopy over the grounds. You can view the mural in the parking area on West Landry Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. If you're interested in seeing the Seven Brothers Oak, take a ride down Highway 182. If you're traveling north, the oak will be the right side of the highway, just before you enter the town of Washington, Louisiana.

  • 108 East Landry Street, Opelousas, Louisiana 70570

  • 337-948-6263

  • CityOfOpelousas.com

  • tourism@cityofopelousas.com

Seven Brothers Oak Mural2021-03-12T09:50:08-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Savoy Music Center

2024-10-21T14:05:19-05:00

Music fans should certainly add this destination to their itinerary, and visit the studio of the famed accordion craftsman, Marc Savoy, at the Savoy Music Center. Known for his skill, quit wit, and unique philosophy, its no wonder visitors and journalists come from far and wide to this little music shop in Eunice, Louisiana. His hand-crafted accordions are available for purchase.

While you're there you may also get the chance meet Marc's wife, Ann, the author of Cajun Music: A Reflection of a People and the singer/musician for numerous bands including the Savoy Family Band and the Magnolia Sisters. On a Saturday morning, it isn't uncommon to see more talented musicians playing together for the traditional Savoy Jam Session which Marc and Ann have been hosting since 1966. To learn more about Marc Savoy's accordions and his musically talented family visit, SavoyMusicCenter.com.

Ici on parle français.

Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center
Savoy Music Center

Savoy Music Center2024-10-21T14:05:19-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie Mural

2021-03-12T09:50:21-06:00

The Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie was painted by an internationally known muralist and Louisiana native, Robert Dafford in collaboration with Herb Roe another muralist and painter. The elegant filigree of the mural and expansive landscape captures the beauty of Louisiana prairies. In this painting, Dafford depicts an explorer and his horse gazing out on the land that would become Eunice, the Prairie Cajun Capital, charted in 1894. Dafford is constantly sought out for his dramatic, large-scale illusions and has painted more than 400 murals across the United States, Canada, France, Belgium, and England.

The mural can be found in Eunice, Louisiana at the old Ardoin's building on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street. You can also learn more about native prairies at the Cajun Prairie Habitat, also located in Eunice.

Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie Mural2021-03-12T09:50:21-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Opelousas Museum

2024-06-24T15:44:43-05:00

The Opelousas Museum is a great destination for those interested in the Civil War, zydeco music, Native American history, or any traveler looking for things to do in Opelousas. The museum explores the history and culture of the Opelousas area from prehistoric times to the present. The Main Exhibit Room tells the story of the Free People of Color as well as Native Americans. The other side of the exhibit space focuses on zydeco, a popular music genre fostered right here in Opelousas. Other exhibits include the Civil War Room, the Louisiana Video Collection Library, the Rodney Milburn Exhibit, and the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Archives.

Group tours are available by appointment. Sign up to their newsletter or check out their Facebook page for new programming.

Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Museum2024-06-24T15:44:43-05:00
23 Jul 2018

NUNU Arts & Culture Collective

2024-03-11T13:56:17-05:00

Arnaudville's robust art scene begins at NUNU Arts and Culture Collective, a volunteer-run art gallery, artisan market, and cultural venue. The shopping bug will certainly bite you here as you wander the 5,000-square-foot former Singleton Hardware Store and its vast inventory of fine art, handmade jewelry, pottery, wood and metalwork, blown glass, books, natural bath products, and a whole lot more. NUNU is a must-stop attraction for visitors seeking one-of-a-kind art and/or gifts.

For visitors looking for things to do and the opportunity to meet authentic French Louisiana locals, NUNU collective hosts a multitude of programs including exhibitions, quilting/needlework, drumming circles, a monthly potluck dinner and dance, and French language conversational tables where "All French is Good French." You can keep up with what's happening at the collective here.

If traveling with a group, the Jacques Arnaud French Studies Collective, curated by Mavis Arnaud Frugé, provides French immersion workshops designed to give visitors a "mini-taste" of Louisiana French language and culture. Contact the collective for costs. Other arts and cultural workshops are available, as well.

Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.

NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville, Louisiana
NUNU Arts & Culture Collective Drumming Circle in Arnaudville, Louisiana
La Table Francaise d'Arnaudville
NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville, Louisiana
French Table at NUNU Arts & Culture Collective in Arnaudville, Louisiana
NUNU Arts & Culture Collective2024-03-11T13:56:17-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Louisiana Orphan Train Museum

2022-02-23T10:33:22-06:00

The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum is a "must-see" attraction for travelers searching for things to do in and around Opelousas, Louisiana. The Louisiana Orphan Train Society, Inc. domiciled in Le Vieux Village Heritage Park is dedicated to collecting and preserving those items that tell the history of the orphan train riders. The term "orphan train" or "orphan train riders" refers to the Orphan Train Movement, a welfare program that was in place between 1853 and 1930. During this time, over 200,000 orphaned children were transported to foster homes typically in rural areas in the Midwest.

Between 1873 and 1929, over 2,000 "Orphan Train Riders" came to Louisiana from the New York Foundling Hospital. Because of an increase in the number of occupants, the Sisters of Charity contacted Catholic priests asking for assistance. In the spring of April and May in 1907 three trains arrived in Opelousas with children from the Foundling Home wearing identification numbers that would match them to their new Catholic foster families.

The museum has a large collection of original documents, clothing, and images on display and many of the museum's volunteers are descendants of orphan train riders. There you can also see statues on the grounds and the Orphan Train mural, depicting the arrival of the riders.

The museum is the only one of its kind in Louisiana and second in the nation to the Orphan Train Museum in Concordia, KS.

Ici on parle français. French is spoken here.

LA Orphan Train Society Annual Gathering in Opelousas, Louisiana at the LA Orphan Train Museum
LA Orphan Train Museum in Opelousas, Louisiana
LA Orphan Train Society Annual Gathering in Opelousas, Louisiana at the LA Orphan Train Museum
LA Orphan Train Society Annual Gathering in Opelousas, Louisiana at the LA Orphan Train Museum
LA Orphan Train Society Annual Gathering in Opelousas, Louisiana at the LA Orphan Train Museum
LA Orphan Train Museum in Opelousas, Louisiana
Louisiana Orphan Train Museum2022-02-23T10:33:22-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Louisiana Orphan Train Mural

2021-03-12T09:52:02-06:00

Artist Robert Dafford depicts one of the most important stories in American history in this mural, the arrival of the orphan train riders. The mural is located in the Louisiana Orphan Train Musuem in Opelousas, just one of many locations in America where orphan children arrived from New York in between 1853 and 1930.

The Orphan Train Mural is an impressive work of art measuring 7′ x 14′ and hangs in the main area of the museum. Robert is a talented muralist from Lafayette, Louisiana and is also the artists who painted the Gateway to the Great Southwest Prairie mural in Eunice, Louisiana.

Louisiana Orphan Train Mural2021-03-12T09:52:02-06:00
23 Jul 2018

Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church

2022-08-16T14:27:37-05:00

The Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church in Opelousas, Louisiana is the oldest Methodist church congregation west of the Mississippi River. In fact, Opelousas is known as the "Cradle of Louisiana Methodism." Missionary Elisha W. Bowman established the church in Opelousas in 1806. The present church, constructed in 1955, sits on the site where two earlier churches existed. Property for the church was purchased in 1857 from the Fonda Family. Today, you can visit the church to learn more about its architecture, design, and long history as a congregation.

Louisiana Memorial United Methodist Church2022-08-16T14:27:37-05:00
23 Jul 2018

Le Vieux Village Heritage Park

2021-07-23T15:01:34-05:00

Le Vieux Village Heritage Park is a collection of exhibits, museums, and the town's oldest structures. French for the old village, this attraction was created in 1988 by the Opelousas Tourism and Activities Committee. Many of its components were donated by families from the area. Get a glimpse of historic Opelousas, one of Louisiana's oldest cities, by touring the grounds which includes an old schoolhouse, a Methodist church, a doctor's office, and the home of Marie Francois Venus. Tours are given Tuesday through Friday on the hour from 10am-2pm and by appointment. Self-guided tours are also available.

Also housed at Le Vieux Village, is the City of Opelousas Tourist Information Center & Gift Shop. It is located at the eastern entrance to Opelousas along U.S. Highway 190. The center houses the Jim Bowie Display and the Zydeco Music Exhibit. Did you know that Jim Bowie, an American hero of the Alamo, once lived in Opelousas? For more fun, historical facts, visit the center's exhibit.

The park is also home to the Louisiana Orphan Train Museum, a facility dedicated to documenting and researching the lives of the orphan train riders.

Ici on parle français. French is spoken here. 

Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana
The Chapel at Le Vieux Village in Opelousas, Louisiana
Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana
Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana
J.S. Clark Memorial at Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana
Le Vieux Village Heritage Park in Opelousas, Louisiana
Le Vieux Village Heritage Park2021-07-23T15:01:34-05:00
23 Jul 2018

KBON 101.1 FM – Radio Station

2023-09-22T09:17:43-05:00

Music fans, you'll want to include a tour of the KBON radio station during your visit to Eunice, Louisiana. The station first went on air in 1997 with the purpose of promoting the local music culture. In fact, the station's original owner, Paul Marx (now deceased), was inducted into The Louisiana Hall of Fame in 1996 for his preservation efforts of Louisiana music. Today, 101.1 FM is a variety music station that highlights Cajun, zydeco, and swamp pop artists and plays a variety of other music genres. During your visit, check out the wall with signatures of local legends. Many of these legends are honored at the Le Cajun Music Awards, held annually in August. You can also see them play on stage, just down the road, on a Saturday night at the Liberty Theater.

Tours of the station are available.

KBON101.1 FM
KBON101.1 FM
KBON101.1 FM
KBON101.1 FM

KBON 101.1 FM – Radio Station2023-09-22T09:17:43-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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