Creole Culture

The French word créole is derived from the Portuguese word crioulo, which describes people born in the Americas as opposed to Spain. Louisiane creoles were referred to as criollos, to distinguish the two groups of New Orleans area and Acadiana creoles. Fast forward to present day and the word creole has grown to not only identifying a group of people but encompassing a rich culture that's still being discovered.

Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park

Vermilionville is a 23-acre historic and folklife park along the banks of the Bayou…

Shadows-on-the-Teche

Overlooking Bayou Teche, this 1834 home, a National Trust Historic Site, is…

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site's mission is to preserve and interpret the…

Maison Freetown Museum

Discover the Fascinating history and artistry of our local community. We offer a…

Lafayette Civil Rights Marker by Doug Dugas for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Louisiana Civil Rights Trail

A ninth marker on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail along with The Pillars of…

African American Museum

The African-American Museum tells the story of the arrival of the Africans and the…

Creole Heritage Folklife Center

The Creole Heritage Folklife Center in Opelousas offers the public an opportunity to…

Holy Ghost Catholic Church

Established in 1920, Holy Ghost Church is home to one of the largest African American…

Le Petit Musée at the Academy of the Sacred Heart

The museum at the 200-year-old Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau recognizes…

Amede’ Ardoin Statue

The Saint Landry Parish Visitor Center in Opelousas is the home of the Amede’ Ardoin…

Spice Up Your Winter in Lafayette

As fall wraps up and a gentle chill drifts across South Louisiana, Lafayette settles into a winter rhythm all its own. Here, winter doesn’t mean hibernation. Winter in…

Lafayette Weekly

A weekly curated playlist by local musician Philippe Billeaudeaux featuring music by Lafayette, LA musicians with a weekly rundown of live music happening in and around the area…

December Events Spotlight

If you're looking to spend some time in the heart of Louisiana's Cajun and Creole Country and want to know what events are happening, you're in the right place!…

Erica Fox

Since 2011, Erica Fox has poured her heart into Maison Creole de Freetown, the African American history museum she manages in one of Lafayette’s historic neighborhoods. The…

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Creole Culture