Pointe Coupee Parish: History, River Landscapes and Culinary Delights

Pointe Coupee Parish combines the history of the lower Mississippi Valley with river landscapes, plantation homes, regional cuisine and experiences on the water. Those looking for a vacation rental or vacation home here can choose to focus their trip on culture, nature, water sports or culinary discoveries.

Historic Sites with Special Character

The past is visibly present throughout Pointe Coupee Parish. The region, also known as “Cut Off Point,” is one of the oldest settlement areas in the lower Mississippi Valley. A record from 1728 documenting a baptism by French Capuchin missionaries marks the beginning of the Christian community in Pointe Coupée. One of the outstanding buildings is Parlange Plantation House, a National Historic Landmark. The French colonial plantation house was built around 1750.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Museum is located on the west bank of False River near Parlange Plantation. It is a rare example of log construction in a Creole house. Churches also tell the story of the parish’s development: St. Francis Chapel was dedicated in May 1895. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church is the oldest brick building in Pointe Coupee Parish, a Gothic Revival church built in the 1850s according to designs by Frank Wills. It was fully restored and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Other sites deepen the historical perspective: The Poydras High School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996. Valverda Plantation was designed in the Greek Revival style and completed in 1850; from 1855 until his death in 1864, it was the home of Henry S. Johnson, Louisiana’s fifth governor. White Hall Plantation House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and served shortly before the Port Hudson campaign as the headquarters of the Department of the Gulf of the XIX Army Corps under Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. During the restoration, the original gardens were reconstructed with historically appropriate plants.

False River, Old River and Routes through the Landscape

False River is a 15-mile-long oxbow lake that was once part of the Mississippi and offers opportunities for water sports. The two Mississippi oxbow lakes in Pointe Coupee Parish, including False River and Old River, also provide opportunities for fishing, boating and hunting. In connection with the Old River Control Project, public fishing is permitted on the associated lands, provided that these activities do not interfere with the project’s operation and maintenance.

For an outing on the water, Old River Landing in Batchelor offers boat launches and food. In downtown New Roads, there is a free public boat ramp on Morrison Parkway. Those who prefer to explore the landscape by land will find Pointe Coupee Parish connected to several sections of regional bike trails. A prominent landmark along Louisiana Highway 1 is Randall Oak near the west bank of False River: The tree is visible from the roadside, has a circumference of approximately 35 feet 8 inches, stands 68 feet tall and has a crown spread of 156 feet.

Cuisine, Festivals and Choosing the Right Accommodation

The early French and African influence is still evident in the cuisine of Pointe Coupee Parish today. Creole, Cajun and traditional Southern cuisine are available. Events held throughout the year include cooking competitions such as Cochon de Lait. Normally, four family-friendly Mardi Gras parades take place each year; their history dates back to 1881. This combination of food culture and tradition can be just as important for planning a trip as deciding whether you would rather spend your days on the water or visiting historic buildings.

Pointe Coupee Parish lies between the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya River. Louisiana Highway 190 runs along the southern boundary, while LA 1 runs along the eastern boundary. The nearest airport is Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (BTR). When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore first determine your preferred mix of activities: A vacation rental or vacation home is a suitable base for a trip combining culture, cuisine, bike trails and experiences on the water. For further orientation, you can also include Oscar and New Roads.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse in New Roads was built in 1902 in the Romanesque Revival style and designed by A.J. Company. It is one of only four surviving courthouses of this type and one of only two that are still used as courthouses. The area has several plantation estates as well as numerous historic sites and museums; several of them are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For comparing other destinations, you can also consider Lafourche Parish, Ascension Parish, St. Tammany Parish, West Feliciana, Lincoln and Vermilion.

For the overarching travel overview: Louisiana.