The 'Oldest Settlement' of the Louisiana Purchase

Natchitoches, in central Louisiana, is not your average southern town. For one thing, it’s older than most. Established in 1714, this was the first French colony in the area that later became part of the Louisiana Purchase and eventually a state in its own right. Wandering through the town’s National Historic District, you can see glimpses of this European heritage along with Natchitoches’ unique blend of Native American, Creole, African American, and Anglo influences down the centuries.

Nowadays, the town is best known for its legendary Christmas Festival of Lights, as the setting of the classic 80s movie Steel Magnolias, and as the home of Northwestern State University. It’s also a popular destination with nature lovers thanks to its beautifully scenic location on the banks of the Cane River. Whether your perfect getaway involves taking a leisurely river cruise, roaming the grounds of an antebellum plantation, or soaking up the sights on a historic walking tour, Natchitoches has you covered.

History of Natchitoches

Natchitoches takes its name from the Caddo Indian Tribe that first settled the area. The town was founded by the French Canadian explorer Louis Juchereau de Saint-Denis, who was eager to get a foothold in the area before the Spanish could claim it. In those early days, Natchitoches was known as Fort St. Jean Baptiste and grew into a busy French trading post.

The town expanded further when Louisiana joined the Union in 1812. The Northwestern State University of Louisiana was established in the town in 1884, giving another boost to the population. In the years since, Natchitoches has diversified its economy into agriculture, services, and tourism. Now home to 17,195 residents, the town is a year-round destination with plenty to explore, discover, and do.

Things to Do in Natchitoches

There are only three National Historic Landmark Districts in Louisiana, and Natchitoches claims one of them. This quaint 33-block district includes Creole townhouses, French Colonial homes, and centuries-old magnolia trees, as well as the busy boutiques, cafes, and eateries on its vibrant thoroughfare, Front Street.

Take a free guided walking tour to soak up the sights. Tours leave from the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau on Front Street and give a comprehensive overview of the history of the town and the Cane River region while strolling the beautiful streets of the historic district. If you’d rather stay off your feet, book a tour with the Cane River Carriage Company, which offers horse-drawn carriage rides through the heart of downtown.

Visit the Cane River Creole National Historical Park on the outskirts of town to immerse yourself in the plantation era. This property includes 44.16 acres of Oakland Plantation and 18.75 acres of Magnolia Plantation, covering two centuries of history in its 67 historic structures.

Continue your exploration of Natchitoches’ origins with a trip to Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. In 1716, colonial troops were dispatched to the area to build a military outpost. The fort was a busy military and trading base until 1762, when the Louisiana colony passed to Spain. Although the original fort is lost to time, visitors can tour a detailed reconstruction at the site on Cane River Lake, enjoying tours of the chapel, storeroom, and barracks.

For some more modern history that will appeal to sports lovers, be sure to stop by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, located on Front Street. This attraction is actually two museums in one, created when the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Old Courthouse Museum were housed in the same building. Browse exhibits on the state’s sporting legends, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Chanda Rubin, see artifacts from the 1700s, or just enjoy the unusual architecture — the museum was named the Top Architecture Project in the World in 2013 by Azure magazine.

Outdoor Adventures in Natchitoches

On a summer’s day, there’s nothing better than a leisurely cruise along the Cane River Lake. Take a trip with the Cane River Queen, a 49-passenger paddle-wheeler, to see Natchitoches from the water. Departing from Front Street, tours last an hour and are suitable for all ages.

Little ones will also enjoy the Natchitoches Alligator Park, home to over 250 American Alligators. The large park also includes a petting zoo, bird sanctuary, reptile house, jungle, tortoise exhibit, and baby gator wading pool. Time your visit to catch a feeding show to see hungry gators gobble up their prey or see the gators in their natural habitat with a thrilling swamp boat tour.

After all that adventure, slow things down with a serene stroll around the beautiful Beau Jardin on the downtown riverbank. This tranquil park area contains a waterfall, stone steps, and lush gardens and is a popular spot for photographers, picnics, events, and weddings.

Events and Festivals in Natchitoches

By far, the most famous event in Natchitoches is the town’s Christmas festival, which began in 1927 and is one of the oldest holiday festivals in the state. Kicking off on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the event runs until Epiphany on January 6th and features music, fireworks, a huge parade, and a Santa Claus House where kids can visit Santa every night of the season. The biggest draw of the festival, however, is the lights. The town glows with over 300,000 lights and more than 100 light displays, creating more than a little Christmas magic sprinkled throughout the historic streets. One of the best ways to see the light is by boating on a cruise, where you can enjoy the spectacle from the water.

Art lovers should come to Natchitoches in the spring when the town hosts Louisiana’s longest running arts festival, the Melrose Arts and Crafts Festival. Taking place on the grounds of the historic Melrose Plantation, this is a great chance to see local artists at work, pick up a unique souvenir, and explore the 200 year old property, a National Historic Landmark with nine historic buildings on site.

Known as the ‘meat pie capital of Louisiana’, Natchitoches honours this unusual aspect of its history with a Meat Pie Festival, now in its 23rd year. The event takes place downtown in the fall and features, yes, lots of meat pies but also live music, arts and crafts vendors, and games.

Southern Charm in Natchitoches

The birthplace of what would later become Louisiana, Natchitoches is everything visitors love about the South — hospitality, charm, history, and delicious meat pies. You’ll fall in love with this special community where the old world gives rise to new adventures. Go wading with baby gators, marvel at festive light displays, wander around antebellum homes, take a carriage ride through historic streets, there’s so much to enjoy in Natchitoches you’ll find yourself planning a return visit before the end of your trip.