In the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country lies Lafayette, perfect for spending a fun-filled weekend and introducing children to one of the richest cultures in America.
To fully appreciate Louisiana’s famous Cajun culture, you must first go back 260 years. In 1755, the British Crown exiled nearly 20,000 residents from Acadie, Canada because they were French and because they were Catholic. With nowhere else to go, the Acadians settled in the bayous and swamps of Spanish-occupied South Louisiana. These resourceful residents lived off the land, turning pork, crawfish, rice, and chicken into delicacies like boudin, gumbo, and etouffée. They survived hot, mosquito-filled nights by playing washboards, accordions, and fiddles, which evolved into Cajun and Zydeco music. Once rejected themselves, they met strangers who passed through with open arms.
Today, visitors to Lafayette can experience authentic Cajun culture through family-friendly restaurants, live music venues, historic districts, enchanting cypress swamps and the warm hospitality of the locals, who remain ever proud of their French-Catholic roots.