['Francis Charles McMains', 'III']
To experience the epitome of small town character and charm—and get a head start on your holiday shopping— embark on a scenic sojourn to Breaux Bridge. The city’s historic downtown has a variety of exquisite art galleries and boutique shops to explore. Whether you’re browsing for a memorable souvenir or a one of a kind gift, you’re guaranteed to find it here. If you’d describe your taste as anything but ordinary, you’re in good company at Pink Alligator Gallery. The gallery showcases both emerging and established artists from around the region, including renowned Breaux Bridge sculptor Kelly Guidry. For the forager, YARD ART of Breaux Bridge resembles an open-air flea market full of eccentric finds in antiques, vintage goods, and collectibles. The Rustic Relic storefront on North Main showcases a range of handmade, curated crafts; from statement jewelry and Victorian pieces to stained glass designs, custom knives, pottery, art, and décor.
All that shopping is sure to work up an appetite, and while it may not be crawfish season in the Crawfish Capital of the World, there is certainly no shortage of savory seafood eateries that have been around so long, they’re considered a Breaux Bridge institution. Poche’s Meat Market and Restaurant has been the one-stop shop for daily lunches and specialty meats like boudin and chaudin since 1962. You can also usually find a live Cajun jam happening on any given night somewhere in St. Martin Parish. Pont Breaux’s Cajun Restaurant hosts live Cajun music Thursday through Sunday, while Buck & Johnny’s Zydeco Breakfast brings a new zydeco or Cajun band to the stage every Saturday. Café Sydnie Mae recently welcomed new executive chef Kimberly Nuzum to helm the Cajun restaurant known for its specialties: steak, seafood, and creative craft cocktails. Last but not least, don’t forget to stock up on fall produce at the open-air market The Fruit Stand for harvest foods like pecans, sweet potatoes, squash, and of course, pumpkins.
For a leisurely place to lay your head, turn to one of Breaux Bridge’s local bed and breakfasts. There’s Maison des Amis, a restored 1860 Creole home with a lush backyard garden overlooking the Teche. Or, you can spend a night in the oldest historic building in the parish, Bayou Teche Bed & Breakfast, a renovated vintage Acadian boarding house listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among the lodging options at Country Charm Bed & Breakfast are a cozy lakeside cottage and farm loft suite, with access to a private stocked pond and outdoor kitchen all beneath centuries old moss-draped oaks. Last but not least, if you’re still looking for a reason to take a trip to Cajun Country this fall, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Breaux Bridge on November 29.
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