lafayette la plantation tours

ChretienPoint.com

Historic plantation & landmark.

Welcome to Chretien Point, the deep South’s most intriguing plantation mansion is just 14 miles north of Lafayette, Louisiana. You can spend hours exploring this historic columned home built in 1831 and set on 20 secluded acres on the banks of the Bayou Bourbeaux.

The mansion was the center of a thriving 3,000-acre cotton plantation with 500 slaves in its heyday. The centerpiece 12-room red brick mansion itself is spectacular with a rich history of former tenants. The most noteworthy of which is Jean Lafitte, a flamboyant gambler. His equally flamboyant widow smoked cigars and doubled her husband’s fortune.

Civil War battles were fought on the property. A Union cannonball destroyed the upper most section of the western most column of the house and there is still a bullet hole on one of the front doors. Chretien Point’s storied past no doubt has been influential in many people having reported seeing ghosts throughout the years. There are also tales of buried treasure on the grounds.

The famous staircase in the movie “Gone With the Wind” where Scarlett O’Hara shoots a pillaging Union soldier was a replica of Chretien Point mansion stairway.

Chretien Point is a great choice for a wedding venue. Learn more about the benefits of plantation weddings — >

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• Evergreen Plantation
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The most intact plantation complex in the South with 37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places

Wander the grounds of the most intact plantation complex in the entire South.  Evergreen Plantation has  37 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including 22 slave cabins in their original, double row configuration.  In fact, Evergreen Plantation joins Mount Vernon and Gettysburg for having achieved the nation’s highest historic designation and has been granted its exceptional landmark status for the plantation’s agricultural acreage.

The Evergreen Plantation tours include the main house as well as the complex’s preserved slave quarters and other dependencies.  Dating back to 1790, the “Big House” began its existence as a raised Creole house, and was remodeled to its present form in 1832. The 90-minute tour emphasizes the plantation’s dependence on slave labor, as well as the labor of freed African-Americans later in its history that was necessary to operate such a multifaceted enterprise.  With so many of its structures still intact, Evergreen Plantation offers visitors an real representation of the plantation culture in Louisiana.

Walk through an allée of one hundred, 200-year-old live oaks as you tour this living history book.   Hear the stories highlighting two and a half centuries of family ownership, learn about the architectural significance of Evergreen Plantation’s many buildings , and discover how the plantation was rooted in and reliant on agriculture.  As a privately owned, operating sugar cane plantation where people continue to live and work, Evergreen Plantation is simply a must-see during your trip to New Orleans Plantation Country.

Explore More Exciting Itineraries

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New Orleans PLANTATIONS Country

Explore the 10 historic estates in the River Parishes of Louisiana and discover the stories rooted in their past.

New Orleans SWAMP Country

Create memories learning the folklore of our swamps and viewing gators in their natural habitat.

ANDOUILLE Trail

Andouille was created here, so get out and try the local smokehouses that each have their own version of the "best".

OUTDOOR RECREATION

The region out here is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and find adventure.

Lac Des Allmands

Famous for catfish, Lac Des Allemands is a haven for outdoor sportsmen.

Enjoyed around the world, Perique can only be grown and processed out here.

CAJUN & CREOLE CUISINE

Cajun and Creole cuisine are as necessary to our culture as the people who make it.

TRANSPORTATION

Tour buses, shuttles and local airports are all transportation options for the River Parishes.

STAY OUT HERE

Louisiana's River Parishes offers a wide range of lodging options from rustic and quaint to upscale and luxurious.

STILL Have Questions? Drop us a line AND REQUEST A VISITORS GUIDE.

Louisiana Plantation Tours

Tour information, group or bus tours.

ARDOYNE PLANTATION HOUSE

GUIDED TOURS:  Tuesday - Saturday  9:30 AM, 11:30 AM &  2:00 PM 

Other times available by appointment.

Tours given on a first-come-first-served basis. Appointments not necessary for individuals or small families.

CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Due to Hurricane IDA

Buy tickets at the front door just prior to tour start time.  

Closed: New Year's Eve and Day, Fat Tuesday, July 4th, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve/ Day.

Check www.VIATOR.com for other closed dates or to book a tour.

   We welcome bus tours, club and school groups . Large groups (15+) must call 985-804-2271 or email us at [email protected]  to check availability and 

to reserve tour times. We will happily help you plan your visit to Houma and suggest an itinerary for your group.

Discounted Group Rates:

Groups: Adult: $15; Youth: $8

School Class Groups:          

  Adult $15;   Student: $8;               

Teacher: Free (1 per classroom)

Although you can't pay with 

plantation tokens for 

Louisiana plantation tours today, 

Ardoyne rates are the lowest around. If planning ahead, you may purchase your tickets online.

Tickets may also be purchased at the door, if available. Note that same day tickets are not sold ONLINE  the day of the tour and can only be purchased        at the door. 

Guided Tour Prices:

Adults: $17

Seniors: $16 (60+ years) 

Military: $16   

                 AAA: $16                 

             Youth (6-17 years) $10                

Free for 5 years and under.

WHAT TO SEE AT ARDOYNE

• LOCATION: Located just 2 miles from Highway 90 at Exit 200; Turn right toward Houma on Hwy 311. DISTANCE: - 45 Miles from New Orleans Airport (MSY) - 80 Miles from Baton Rouge - 90 Miles from Lafayette 

There are many collections in the home to include over 2000 books, 300 spoons,  plantation tokens, Louisiana Native American baskets , Newcomb Pottery , crystal and china, quilts, needlework,  plus paintings and prints from such artists as Alexander Drysdale and  

John James Audubon .  

The Shaffer family still owns about 300 acres of the original Ardoyne Plantation farm land. This land is leased to a local sugarcane farmer. The photo above is one of his harvesting tractors.

Take a Swamp Tour

There are several swamp tours near Ardoyne Plantation.

Greenwood Gator Farm  

Annie Miller's Son Swamp Tour.

Bed and Breakfasts

Looking for a place to stay.

 A Chateau on the Bayou Bed and Breakfast is just 20 minutes from Ardoyne Plantation and is located between Houma & New Orleans. Contact owner, Claudette Pitre, for reservations.   

Near Ardoyne

Copyright © 2015-2022 Ardoyne Plantation - All Rights Reserved.

14 Historic Plantations Everyone In Louisiana Must Visit

Kezia Kamenetz

Kezia Kamenetz is a native to southern Louisiana and lives in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans currently. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com

More by this Author

Are you ready to dive deep into Louisiana history? Think about taking a look at the plantations in Louisiana. There are a huge number of beautiful buildings, luscious gardens, and historic artifacts that also represent some of the darker chapters of Louisiana’s history—such as chattel slavery. Today, these homes are available for tours, exploration and special events This mix of history, remembrance and celebrations make visits to Louisiana’s unique plantation homes a very fascinating way to spend an afternoon.

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Have you ever been to one of these homes? Which one is your favorite? We love to hear your memories of these Only in Louisiana trips!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Champagne's Swamp Tours

Louisiana swamp tours, lafayette la.

Most Popular

Swamp boat tour.

from $28.00

The Swamp Tour will explore the difference between swamps and bayous. This swamp is know for its amazing wildlife and beauty. It is home of 205 different species of birds, which we could see including Barred Owls, Horned Owls, Pileated Woodpeckers, Anhingas, Cormorants, Wood Ducks, Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, Nutria and most of all giant Alligators. We are only only swamp tour here on lake with store and restrooms.

Why Choose Champagne's Swamp Tours?

Free RV Camper Parking

Convenient RV parking close to Lake Martin's heart ensures easy access to both vehicle comforts and swamp adventures.

Bird Watching

Lake Martin is a global hotspot for Louisiana Bird Watching, attracting birding enthusiasts from all over the world.

Only Tour w/ Facilities

Our swamp tour offers guest-only amenities: store, restrooms, private parking, and waterfront decks for pre-tour relaxation!

Something for every member of the family to remember their unforgettable adventure at Champagne's Swamp Tours!

What We Offer

Swamp Tours

Canoe/Kayak Rentals

Sunset & Night Tours

Recent videos.

SEE WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY!

Best part of our 7 day trip to la.

"Stopped by accident really, but what an unexpected blessing!! Jason was our tour guide and he is so wonderful! Showed and told us all about the gators, turtles, birds, trees, invasive aquatics, and even an awesome bird identification app!! He was so nice about taking us closer to see what we couldn't, and he showed infinite patience 😁. We're from Minnesota and he didn't mind any of our questions whatsoever....highly recommended, best part of our 7-day trip to Louisiana so far. Thank you!!!!"

We had the best time and will cherish this memory forever, "we came from colombia and loved the experience and the people. unbelievable nature scenes and jimmy was the most lovely, interesting tour guide. you can feel his love for nature and preservation <3 we had the best time and will cherish this memories forever.", cannot recommend it enough, "it was amazing jason, our guide, moved the boat around pointing out alligators, turtles and birds stopping to let us take photos.this was one of the highlights of our holiday, cannot recommend it enough.".

Christopher B.

The Views Are Incredible

"absolutely wonderful. the swamp is stunning with plenty of old cypress rooted in the water. the view are incredible. i wish the owner would have accepted to open to shades on the boat because it was so sunny but he didn’t want, disappointing when it’s 100f… also as much as i love having close encounter with animals, i am not a big fan to disrupt their life. we spent time chasing baby alligators close to their nest…not needed. we saw plenty of birds, alligators,…but the best remains the “floating forest”", "5 stars we enjoyed our swamp tour thoroughly. jason was great he knew his way around and knew where to take us. we saw a ton of alligators and local birds. he was patient and knowledgeable definitely book your tour ahead of time to make sure you get on the boat when you want.".

Jennifer 

Definitely Recommend

"we visited on 12/9/24.so so great. very relaxing,i enjoyed every second. already asked my kids about going with me for christmas break. definitely recommended mr tommy our tour guide was very kind & can answer bout any question you have about gators".

337-230-4068

[email protected]

Mon-Sun 8am - 7pm

1151 Rookery Rd, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517

Quick Links

Swamp boat tours, canoe/cayak rentals.

St. Joseph & Felicity Plantations

Vacherie louisiana ~ working louisiana sugar farms, open 7 days a week, call us at 225-265-4078 for more information..

“Authentic” best describes St. Joseph &  Felicity , 2 working Sugarcane Plantations located in Vacherie, LA. Our family invites you in for a relaxed, intimate visit to tour our ancestral homes, grounds, dependencies and the dwellings of the enslaved. Experience rich history & many exhibits sure to give you a glimpse into life on a sugar plantation.  Most tours are guided by family members.

Best Plantations to Visit Near New Orleans

By: Author Corinne Vail

Posted on Published: 5 Apr 2023  - Last updated: 3 Jan 2024

Are you looking for those vestiges of days gone by, where the land was manicured, and the mansions were luxurious? On my visit to Louisiana, I visited three fantastic plantations, took the guided tours, and learned a lot.

On our last epic trip to Louisiana , we spent most of our time in New Orleans and Lafayette , but we also got out into the countryside a little and had some fun doing swamp tours , taking a Cajun cooking lesson , and of course, visiting some grand plantations.

During our stay, I had the opportunity to visit three plantations: Houmas House, Laura Plantation, and Destrehan Plantation. All of these had superb guides taking us around the beautiful grounds, telling us stories and the history of the plantation. I was most impressed that they did not skim over the darker part of their history at all.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure I would be okay with visiting all the plantations because of their history with slavery. It was due to slave labor that the plantation owners were able to amass large fortunes, and the owners did everything in their power to keep the slave trade going.

Best Plantations near New Orleans

There are plenty of plantations to visit, all along Plantation Alley which follows the Louisiana River Road. I was able to visit three outstanding examples of these historical plantations. Most of the plantations are only a short ride from New Orleans, and if you are going to go exploring, it’s probably prudent to rent a car, as we did, or make it even easier and take a day tour.

Houmas House

Built in the late 1830s, Houmas House is a great place to learn about plantations in Louisiana and there are several great tour options available from New Orleans. As you enter the main building, you will come right into a museum listing out all the plantations in the area, some of which are not active anymore.

The histories, like the crops they grew, are varied, but all of the plantations made their money on the backs of slaves. Luckily today, they don’t shy away from their dark history and the guides really tell you what a hardship, horrible life was for a slave.

After the museum, we took a guided one-hour tour through the mansion. Our docent was dressed in a period costume and really knew her stuff. She told us both local history as well as stories of the people who used to live there.

Afterward, I wandered the grounds, enjoying the over 38 acres of flowers and shrubs, building up my appetite for lunch.

We took lunch in the Dixie Café where they serve a variety of Cajun and Creole dishes on their buffet. I loved everything from the crawfish pasta to the obligatory bread pudding with caramel sauce, and the surroundings were really comfy and beautiful.

One note if you travel with your pets, Houmas House allows them on the property and around the gardens as long as they are leashed at all times.

Laura Plantation

My next plantation tour was at Laura . The mansion on Laura Plantation really is a museum telling the history of the Creole peoples, African slaves, and the owners which are all entwined. While being guided around the mansion, we headed to the basement where the food stores were kept, the main floor with lots of documents, photos, and written histories, as well as the top floor where the family mostly lived.

One of the things that sets Laura Plantation apart from the others, is that when the first owner, Guillaume Duparc died, his wife took over running the estate. This was basically unheard of during her time, but she wielded lots of power and was extremely successful.

On top of that, Nanette Prudhomme Duparc was only the first of four generations of women to run the estate. You can read their stories as you walk through the various rooms of the mansions. There is also a video to watch which tells much of the story as well.

One of the most interesting documents to see on the plantation is the “Slaves Register.” This document lists seventeen enslaved people, their skills, and their worth. It is a stark reminder of the horrors of the enslaved plantation workers.

Destrehen Plantation

The closest plantation to New Orleans, Destrehan Plantation, grew sugar cane and indigo, two of the most profitable crops in the 1800s. Of course, all the labor was done by enslaved peoples, up to 200 at the height of production.

Maybe because of this Destrehan really does a good job detailing the history of the enslaved. There are information placards detailing life for slaves all around the slave camp where you can see mock-ups of old slave quarters and read about the atrocities they lived with.

The plantation, along with many more on the Louisiana River Road, subscribed to the Code Noir, Black Code which governed what slaves could or could not do. One edit in the Code Noir was that church-married blacks could not be separated, but to get around this owners just would not allow couples to marry.

This eventually led up to one of the most significant events on the plantation, the Slave Revolt where many enslaved men marched on the owners, killing a few and wounding many more. That revolt ended with the leaders being hanged, a tragic demise.

All of these stories and more were told to us by our very knowledgeable docent as we walked the mansion and the grounds. During this tour, we also learned about the Black Masking Indians and the colorful and expensive costumes they make each year.

The entire Destrehan Plantation tour was fascinating.

Even though the luxurious Louisiana plantations have a dark and sordid history, making money off the backs of enslaved peoples, I think they are well worth the trip. I learned so much more about this part of American history that we only skimmed only during our history classes. It was very educational.

Author Bio – Corinne is an avid camper and traveler. She’s been to all 50 of the US states and has four more Canadian provinces to visit. However, she’s not stopping yet. There’s always more to see of this great continent! Corinne loves local foods, getting outdoors, landscape photography, and road trips.

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THE 5 BEST Lafayette Tours & Excursions

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1. Tour Historic Vermilionville

2. Lafayette Scavenger Hunt: Lafayette In Full Bloom

3. Cajun Food Bus Tour in Lafayette

4. Lafayette Locomotion Scavenger Hunt

5. Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Lafayette by Zombie Scavengers

Keep the fun going with other experiences in the area.

Avery Island Experience- Tabasco & Jungle Gardens Self-guided tour

Baton Rouge Bash Scavenger Hunt

Baton Rouge Bar Hunt: Baton Rouge Goes Rogue

Guided Candle Pouring Soiree in Louisiana

Fun City Scavenger Hunt in Baton Rouge by Crazy Dash

Participate in a Fun Scavenger Hunt in Baton Rouge by Operation City Quest

Zombie Scavengers Game - Baton Rouge, LA

Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Baton Rouge with Holly Jolly Hunt

What travelers are saying.

• Tour Historic Vermilionville
• Cajun Food Bus Tour in Lafayette
• Lafayette Scavenger Hunt: Lafayette In Full Bloom
• Lafayette Locomotion Scavenger Hunt
• Adventurous Scavenger Hunt in Lafayette by Zombie Scavengers
• Cajun Food Tours
• https://www.letsroam.com/roam_from_home/world_record?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=NSDtraveltacoma
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Live Oak Cabin

COZY CABIN WITH TWO DOUBLE BEDS

MAX GUESTS: Sleeps 4

Private cabin with 3 steps from ground to the front porch. Pet Friendly Accommodation with a $25 Fee.

*Please accept our sincerest apologies for the construction at the adjacent houses. The houses built in the 1920s were moved to this property to be saved from demolition. Our mission with this urban infill project is to revitalize the communities of the Northside of Lafayette that we know and love.

Room Amenities

Private Bath

Coffee Maker

Free Wireless Internet

Iron and Ironing Board

Pet Friendly

B&B Features

GOURMET BREAKFAST INCLUDED

Check in: 4:00pm, check out: 11:00am, sprawling grounds, outside seating areas, local museum tours, national registry of historic homes.

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