This Louisiana Town Instantly Transports You To The Past
Walking the brick-paved sidewalks on Front Street in downtown Natchitoches and admiring Southern landmarks like the Kaffie-Frederick General Mercantile feels like stepping into the past. The oldest city in Louisiana is overflowing with historical significance and authentic Cajun and Creole experiences, from dining at Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant to embarking on a Cane River Queen paddlewheel tour.
The town's 300-year evolution from trading post to the "City of Lights " is easy to see while strolling the historic district, including the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and other 18th- and 19th-century structures. Relaxing on the waterfront beneath a shady oak tree, listening to the sounds of Beau Jardin's waterfalls, offers a glimpse of yesteryear, transporting visitors to another time in Natchitoches.
Natchitoches History
French-Canadian explorer Louis Juchereau de St. Denis visited Natchitoches and the nearby Natchitoches Indian Village in 1714. He established a trading post to serve French-Canadian explorers, Indigenous Peoples, and Spaniards in Mexico. A stroll or carriage ride through the historic district reveals the town's heritage, with magnificent landmarks such as the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site.
The former outpost was constructed in 1716 by Sieur Charles Claude Dutisné to thwart Spanish soldiers from entering French Louisiana through Texas. The fort's original site is unknown, though many believe it was on the grounds of what is now the Old American Cemetery. The historic site has been meticulously replicated to provide viewers with an authentic look at an 18th-century outpost.
Spending a Day in the Historic Downtown District
Natchitoches' historic district spans 33 blocks revolving around Front Street. The structures have earned the district many accolades, including a spot on Architectural Digest’s list of “The Most Beautiful Main Streets in America.” Kaffie-Fredericks General Mercantile has been open to the community since 1894, making it the oldest general store in Louisiana. It still operates its original freight elevator and has a cash register from 1910, unique features that set it apart.
Another signature of the area is the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1857 to replace the original structure, circa 1717. All interior fittings and furnishings were imported from France, except for the pews, and the church bell was dedicated on Christmas Day, 1880. French Creole cottages are prominent here, and if you see one with a veranda, gabled roof, and two doors on the front, look up at the porch ceiling. Many are painted greenish-blue (haint blue) to ward off evil spirits.
Bed and Breakfasts
Antebellum homes and French Creole architecture are the norm in downtown Natchitoches, and the area is known for its historic inns. The town has classic Southern appeal, so much so that the movie Steel Magnolias was filmed on location here in 1989, in a home now called the Steel Magnolia House. The movie was filmed in and around a brick home on Jefferson Street, which has a fascinating backstory, including its redesign in the early 20th century when it was moved away from the sidewalk to where it sits today.
The Queen Anne Judge Porter House is a highly rated inn on 2nd Street that will sweep you off your feet. The two-story home features regal columns and wraparound porches, along with a manicured garden ideal for an evening stroll. The inn is famous for its two-course breakfast, which includes Louisiana Bread Pudding or rolled omelettes, served in the formal dining room, reflecting the local culture, hospitality, gentility, and period pieces that evoke the city's past.
Other Historical Aspects
Louisiana culture is defined by many elements, with food being near the top of the list. Dining at Lasyone’s Meat Pie Restaurant in downtown Natchitoches treats your taste buds to tried-and-true Creole favorites. Staples include étouffée, gumbo, and shrimp and grits, reflecting centuries of passed-down recipes and offering a tasty way to revisit Louisiana's past.
Natchitoches is a river town, and booking a tour on the Cane River Queen paddleboat offers a relaxing way to view the city from the water. Exploring the natural elements allows you to see Natchitoches much as other visitors did centuries ago, revealing another historical angle to this unique river town.
Similar Historic Towns in Louisiana
Other towns in Louisiana that transport visitors to the past include St. Martinville and St. Francisville. St. Martinville is on Bayou Teche near Breaux Bridge, the self-proclaimed "Crawfish Capital of the World." The area offers an authentic Cajun experience and provides a sense of the past at sites such as Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. The town is rich in Acadian history, as reflected in memorials such as the Acadian Memorial and Museum, which honors the 3,000 Acadians exiled by British forces and who sought refuge in Louisiana.
Historic St. Francisville is known for its landmark architecture, exemplified by Myrtlewood Plantation and Rosedown Plantation. Its heritage is interpreted at the West Feliciana Historical Society Museum, in the old hardware store. The town's friendliness and history also remind visitors of a time when everyone knew one another and waved hello on the street. These characteristics are evident at the local favorite South of the Border Grill, which has been serving the community since 1947.
Why Natchitoches Instantly Transports You to the Past
Natchitoches' historic district, with French Creole buildings lining compact streets, is so quintessentially Southern that Hollywood came to town to film the classic Steel Magnolias. Downtown is the perfect place for a slow walk on a warm day, strolling past historic masterpieces like the Judge Porter House and the oldest department store in the state.
For visits longer than a day trip, there is no better way to experience Natchitoches than booking a room at a bed and breakfast or historic inn. The accommodations not only exemplify Natchitoches's landmark status and heritage but are also within walking distance of significant sites and restaurants, making them ideal destinations in a Louisiana town that instantly transports you to the past.
