Whether you’re drawn to St. Martin Parish by the promise of waltzing to live Cajun music, of seeing egrets soar above the Atchafalaya Basin Swamp, or of delving into some of South Louisiana’s most colorful history—the distinctive hospitality of Acadiana will rise to greet you. Comfort calls, as does curiosity and intrigue, at these five one-of-a-kind overnight stays—where you might find yourself sleeping between traditional bousillage walls, or beneath 100-year-old stained glass.
Bayou Cabins
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Rocky and Lisa Sonnier have been hosting on the Bayou Teche for almost forty years, introducing newcomers to the sounds, tastes, and stories of Acadiana at their Bayou Cabins. The musical icons Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Jr., and Hunter Hayes have stayed here, as has a television crew from the Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs, when host Mike Rowe came to town to make cracklins and boudin. A short drive from some of St. Martin Parish’s best-loved dance halls and restaurants, as well as the atmospheric marvels of the Atchafalaya Basin—the Cabins have been recognized nationally as a must-stay experience, and as one of the “Top 5 Places to Stay” by National Geographic Traveler. The bayouside accommodations welcome guests with many immersive touches. In Bocephus’s Cajun Cabin, the wallpaper is made of circa-1949 newspapers; Victorian-themed Miss Elise’s is decked out with vintage purses, hats, and gloves. Or, for a glimpse of how people lived long ago along the Teche (with modern amenities), choose the Bayou Museum Cabin, which was built in 1848 using cypress hewn from nearby swamps, and traditional bousillage (mud and moss) walls, gathered straight from the Teche. $70–$150 per night. bayoucabins.com.
Bayou Cabins in Breaux Bridge, LA
Maison Stéphanie
Arnaudville, Louisiana
This circa-1796 French Creole estate has witnessed the unearthing of mastodon fossils, interactions between French colonists and the native Attakapas, and the violence of the Civil War. Today, its owners Richard Franklin Howes and Kenneth P. Douet have drawn on old newspapers, artwork, and century-old documents to tell its story. Guests can explore the home’s rich history in the onsite Library, which holds information on the illustrious families who called this property home, archaeological artifacts, and detailed papers kept by the home’s original owner, Martin Milony Duralde. If you book the Lastrapes Room, you can still see the stains of bloodied bootprints soaked into the cypress floors when the home served as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War.
A careful renovation in 2020 brought this grand dame to new life, with period-accurate paint colors, preserved cypress beams, and gorgeously crumbly brick walls—all infused with luxurious modern amenities. As an outpost for the region’s bilingual culture, Maison Stéphanie introduces Acadiana with an authentic sense of the region’s past, and a heaping serving of scratch-made biscuits. $145–$325 per night. maison-stephanie.com.
Maison Stephanie
A Church in St. Martinville
St. Martinville, Louisiana
Formerly home to the Gateway Church and various other denominations, this charming circa-1904 ecclesiastical cottage is now one of the most interesting places to hole up in the heart of downtown St. Martinville. Walking distance from beloved St. John Restaurant, the Acadian Memorial, Evangeline Oak Park, and half a dozen other Acadiana cultural hotspots—the Airbnb preserves its sense of the spiritual in a historic building, while tastefully inserting the comforts of home. Curl up on the couch beneath stained-glass windows with a book from the carefully curated miniature library. Treat your food (St. Martinville’s got some fantastic meat markets for aspiring chefs) with reverence in the former altar space, then gather round a table seated on antique pews. Surrounded by the elegance of antique furniture and décor, the amenities are nevertheless modern. A unique overnight stay. Prices from $80. airbnb.com.
A church in St. Martinville, LA
Maison Madeleine
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Set your Acadiana adventure homebase amid the natural wonder that is Lake Martin at Maison Madeleine. This painstakingly restored circa-1840 French Creole cottage is one of fewer than fifty surviving 19th century structures in Acadiana, and on the National Register of Historic Places. From February and June, get a front row seat to the seasonal migrations of roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons, and dozens of other species on Lake Martin. Then head home to cozy lamplit ambience in one of Le Maison’s elegant, private quarters. Generous porches provide dreamy spots to relax, with coffee in the mornings or cocktails in the evenings. The grounds are dotted with native plantings, sculptures, and ancient oaks.
Time your stay right and you can also enjoy a unique culinary experience at one of Maison Madeleine’s esteemed Secret Suppers, which feature world-renowned chefs and local musicians. Upcoming spring supper dates are on February 1, February 22, March 1, and May 31. $250–$350 per night. maisonmadeleine.com.
Secret Supper at Maison Madeleine
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort
Henderson, Louisiana
If you’re craving a beachside more than a bayouside, Acadiana’s got its ways. Camp Margaritaville in Henderson, with hundreds of RV sites and well-appointed cabins, will set you down in the midst of a tropical paradise, complete with three swimming pools with poolside cabanas, a waterpark, pickleball courts, fire pits, and even a dog park. Enjoy onsite (poolside) dining and cocktails, or hop in the car for a short drive to one of St. Martin’s lively surrounding small towns. You don’t have to leave to experience the culture, though; check the schedule and plan to catch local cultural events onsite, including boudin and cracklin cookoffs, and live music performances every weekend. RV sites from $42 per night; cabins from $70 per night. margaritavilleresorts.com.
Camp Margaritaville RV Resort in Hendersonville, LA
Get more ideas for your next trip to St. Martin Parish at cajuncountry.org.
