Much of St. Martin Parish’s charm is in its small-town feel and its great capacity for hospitality. These qualities have resulted in a parish-wide collection of high-quality, one-of-a-kind accommodations suiting every kind of travel—whether you’re looking for immersion in nature at local campgrounds, floating watery escapes, or the cozy luxury of a historic home.
One of the most iconic ways to experience the region, of course, is by houseboat. Situate yourself in the heart of it all, right atop the largest alluvial hardwood swamp in the country, via Cypress Cove Landing’s fleet of houseboats on Henderson Lake. Dubbed the Atchafalaya Queen, the Midnight Sky, and the Beau Soleil—boats sleep six people, and are fully equipped with kitchen, bathroom, and unparalleled access to the Atchafalaya Basin. Through Cypress Cove, you can also rent kayaks, canoes, fishing poles, and book guided tours and hunts.
Waterside cabins at the 6000-acre Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
Another way to immerse yourself in the wild habitats of the Basin is via Lake Fausse Point State Park, a 6,000-acre property abounding with opportunities for fishing, boating, and exploring. Take advantage of affordable premium campsite options (including some waterfront locales) with water and electrical hookups, or go primitive. Some sites can even only be accessed by canoe. If tents aren’t your thing, the park also offers cabins sleeping up to eight people at a time.
The parish is also home to several top-notch RV Parks that place you affordably and conveniently at the center of the action, with easy access to local restaurants, outdoor activities, and live music events. Spots like Bon Temps RV Park in St. Martinville and Cajun Heritage RV Park in Breaux Bridge offer reservations for RV hookups and cabins, while destinations like Cecile Poche Memorial Park in Breaux Bridge and Uncle Dick Davis Park in Butte LaRose are first-come, first-serve with spots for tent camping and RVs. Then there’s Breaux Bridge’s more luxurious Camp Margaritaville, with its beach-style campground resort accommodations for RV setups and cabins, as well as pools, pickleball, onsite bars and restaurants, and live performances.
For a different sort of outdoor-immersion experience, consider staying on a local farmstead. Bonne Terre, located just outside of Breaux Bridge, is operated by organic gardeners and naturalists, who have cultivated a true retreat into historic Cajun Country with a historic farmhouse, artist’s studio, and solar-powered cottage—all of which contain thoughtful details radiating with creative energy. While you’re there, you’ll get to know the chickens, horses, cattle, and bunnies onsite, and have plenty of opportunities to wander the various gardens and hiking trails.
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Blue water play at Camp Margaritaville
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Garden party at Maison Madeleine, near Lake Martin
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Arnaudville's Nine Oaks au Joubert: Victorian opulence beneath a 300-year-old live oak canopy
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Breaux Bridge's Bonne Terre is a farmstead operated by organic gardeners and naturalists
History-minded visitors to the area will find no shortage of overnight accommodations drawn straight from Louisiana’s architectural past. Find many of these jewels right in downtown Breaux Bridge, within walking distance of many of the most famous eateries and live music venues, including the oldest historical building in St. Martin Parish, built in the traditional Acadian style, Au Bayou Teche Bed and Breakfast; or the tiny, circa-1893 Cottage, with the prettiest front porch in town. There’s also the charming Maison de Lionne, built in 1870, with its whimsical, eclectic décor and a gazebo overlooking the Teche, a perfect place to sip your morning coffee.
Not too far from the hustle and bustle, Emmaline Thibodeaux’s circa-1935 restored Acadian house, La Petite Voie de St. Therese, offers the wraparound porch of your wildest dreams, looking out over two acres of ancestral farmland decorated by magnolias, azaleas, and live oaks. Follow the road out to Lake Martin for an even more remote experience, at the luxurious Maison Madeleine—a circa-1840 French Creole Cottage, painstakingly restored and authentically furnished by the current owners. Come during February through June to witness the annual migration of Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets, and herons (and watch the calendar for an opportunity to experience the world-class Maison Madeleine Secret Suppers).
In Arnaudville, Maison Stephanie is the place to stay. The recently-restored circa-1796 estate is one of St. Martin Parish’s oldest historic buildings, and has a rich history that includes serving as a Civil War hospital (there are even bloodstains on the floor). Nine Oaks Au Joubert offers its own majesty, in ornate Victorian style beneath 300-year-old oaks. Don’t miss the authentic high tea experience.
Find many more unique and historically-significant accommodations in St. Martin Parish at cajuncountry.org.
