Avoyelles Parish on a Harley

One of the nicest things about living in Louisiana is seeing Louisiana. Every parish offers a unique blend of history, culture, food, and fun. Because we have warm weather most of the year, many of us find motorcycling to be the ideal way to travel when exploring.

With that in mind I saddled up on a crystal clear, crisp Saturday in October and headed toward Avoyelles Parish. As I was leaving Baton Rouge traffic behind me, just before crossing the Huey P. Long Mississippi River Bridge, I noticed in the distance a tail light, saddle bags, and tail pipes that distinctly belonged to a Harley-Davidson Heritage Springer, and this one had a red and black paint set like mine!  I caught up with the Springer just past Port Allen and we pulled off at the next gas station. For those who are familiar with the Heritage Springer, you know how rare it is to see one, so I was very glad to meet Steve who is also from Baton Rouge. After introductions and sharing information about the Heritage Springer Owners Association, we filled our gas tanks and twin Springers headed west on 190. Enjoying a leisurely ride on 190, we peeled off to highway 71 just past Krotz Springs. Riding in rural Louisiana you begin to drink in the expansive acreage of farm land, punctuated by cleared pastures with cattle and horses grazing in the morning sun. The beauty of this land was a reminder of how much agriculture supports our Louisiana economy. Passing large crawfish ponds also made me wonder how many delicious crawfish boils had hailed from this part of the country, to bring families and friends together. Much of 71 was a pleasant rural ride with spotty traffic and only a few farm vehicles.

Coming into Bunkie Steve and I pulled off, exchanged contact information, and wished each other a safe ride. Steve continued on toward Alexandria and I stopped in Bunkie.  At the corner of 71 and 115 there are several antique shops on the block. Griffins Antiques is on the corner in a building that dates back to 1907. They offered an interesting display of stained glass windows among other artifacts.

From there I traveled north on 115/29 and rode through the charming town of Evergreen on my way to Cottonport. Once in Cottonport I rode parallel to the bayou which ran through town until reaching Cottonport Avenue. A right turn brought me to the Cottonport Museum and Cultural Center. Admission is only $2 and the museum was currently featuring a “Festival of Quilts” exhibit.

Back on the road again I followed the bayou out of town and took highway 107 into Mansura. Riding through the tree-lined town I came upon Old World Antiques located at 1912 Hwy 107. They displayed a variety of antiques and collectibles of wide-ranging appeal. The store is across the street from St. Paul Catholic Church, and if you happen to be there at just the right time you’ll be treated to a melodic serenade courtesy of its church bells.

Continuing on route 107, I turned north on LA1 toward Marksville. Coming into Marksville it is impossible to miss the Paragon Casino and Resort. The Paragon is clearly the entertainment center of Marksville, providing headliner shows, restaurants, hotel and camping facilities, golf, and of course, 24/7 games of chance. By this time hunger was taking over, so I turned down North Washington Street to find The Red River Grill which came highly recommended. Unfortunately it was closed and would not open until 5 pm, so that will be a stop for another ride. Heading back to Tunica Drive I turned right to find The Fresh Catch Seafood Bistreaux. Once a fish market, it is now a casual dining restaurant. The menu includes fried and broiled shrimp and catfish, steaks, salads, and a good selection of sandwiches, wraps, and poboys. The seafood gumbo was excellent!

Thus refreshed, I took a right turn out of the parking lot and within two blocks came to the Hypolite Bordelon Home. This c.1790-1820 home is a wonderful example of early nineteenth century Louisiana architecture, and also serves as the parish’s tourist information center.

From the Hypolite Bordelon Home I rode south and turned left on South Preston to find Martin Luther King Drive. There, at the end of the road is the Marksville State Historic Site and Indian Mounds and Museum. These mounds survive from a Native American civilization that lived in the area from approximately 100 BC to 400 AD. It is highly recommended to call prior to a visit to schedule admission.

Heading back to LA1 I turned left to begin the ride home, but there was one last ride to take, and it turned out to be my favorite of the day. When coming to Moreauville, crossing over the bayou I found state road 451 at the stop light. Taking a left led me to a fun (albeit somewhat rough at times) biking road with plenty of twists and turns.  Route 451 reminded me of the River Road, following the bends in the river with horses often grazing on the levee. About fourteen miles down 451 there is a great place to stop for a short break at the Big Bend Post Office (c.1847) and Adam Ponthieu Store Museum (c.1927). Directly across the road is the Old Sarto Iron Bridge built in 1919. This bridge has the distinction of being the first bridge in Louisiana to be listed on the National Historic Register.

Continuing on 451 brought me back to LA1. Heading south, as I crossed the Atchafalaya River Bridge with the sun at my back, after a great ride and a fun day, I bid farewell to Avoyelles Parish. Rolling into Pointe Coupée Parish, I’ll take the ferry across the Mississippi to St. Francisville then home, but I’ll leave that journal for another day. I love Louisiana!

Frank Smode began riding in 1965 and since then has explored mountains and bad lands, swamps and farm lands, and even Taiwan on two wheels. He is a contributor to Mad Maps, riding the Louisiana loops published in this series of riding guides for motorcyclists.

Details. Details. Details.

Griffin’s Antiques
228 SW Main Street, Bunkie, La
(318) 346-2806

Cottonport Museum
and Cultural Center 
220 Cottonport Avenue, Cottonport, La
(318) 876-3797 

Old World Antiques
1912 Leglise Street, Mansura, La
(318) 964-2021

Paragon Casino and Resort
711 Paragon Place, Marksville, La
(800) WIN-1-WIN

Hypolite Bordelon Home
242 West Tunica Drive, Marksville, La
(318) 253-0284

The Fresh Catch Seafood Bistreaux
109 Tunica Drive, East, Marksville, La
(318) 253-6543

Marksville State Historical Site and Indian Mounds and Museum
837 Martin Luther King Drive
Marksville, La
(318) 253-8954

Big Bend Post Office and Adam Ponthieu Store Museum/Sarto
Old Iron Bridge 
8554 LA Highway 451, Moreauville, La
(318) 997-2465

Avoyelles Commission of Tourism
8592 Highway 1, Mansura, La
(800) 833-4195