Pleasantview
Pointe Coupee Museum
Poydras Monument
Maison Chenal
St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Francis of Assisi Church
St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

Pointe Coupee boasts the largest pocket of Creole French architecture left in the U.S. today.  Many of these famous homes can be toured by appointment.  Most are still occupied by the families who farm the land their ancestors carved out almost 300 years ago.  What follows is a summary of what you can expect to see in Pointe Coupee.

Alma Plantation Sugar Mill - A working sugar mill set on the grounds of this plantation home built in 1789, Alma Plantation produces raw sugar and black strap molasses. Built by noted philanthropist Julien Poydras and now owned and operated by the Stewart Family, Alma Plantation continues as one of the few working sugar plantations in the entire southern portion of the United States. The home is no longer open to the public, but the sugar mill and a country store are open to visitors.

Bergeron Brothers Pecan Shelling Plant - Employing about 60 workers, this plant processes an average of three million pounds of pecans each year, 600,000 pounds of which are shipped nationwide. Established in 1940, this family-owned plant offers free tours from October through March.

Conquest Plantation - Built in 1888, this Victorian home was fully restored to reflect Pointe Coupee's 19th century aura. It can be found on the Pointe Coupee Road.

Eldorado - This large plantation is situated one mile south of Livonia on the west bank of Bayou Maringouin.  The home, completely furnished, was given to Barthalomeau Barrow by his father David of Afton Villa, as a wedding gift on February 14, 1856.  Shortly after the Civil War, Mr. Barrow joined the Pointe Coupee Artillery as a first lieutenant on June 29, 1861.  Eldorado was frequently invaded by Union Troops.

First Methodist Church - On Pennsylvania Avenue, built in 1904 during the pastorate of Rev. W.H. Whatley, it was known as the "Protestant Church" since almost all non-catholics attended its services.

Glynnwood Plantation - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Glynnwood Plantation was constructed in 1836. After years of additions, this 11-bedroom house has been created into a unique architectural style. This glorious home can be found in Glynn.

Jubilee! - A spacious Creole Cottage dating to 1840 that sits overlooking the Mississippi River levee on Old Pointe Coupee Road.  It was built for Judge Robert Semple who was referred to as "the poet laureate" of Pointe Coupee.  Some of Jubilee's unique features are its walk-thru or "jib" windows and eight fireplaces with original cypress mantles.  While relaxing on the front porch you can hear the calliope music of a passing paddle-wheeler.

Julien Poydras Grave/Monument - Poydras, a plantation owner and Louisiana statesman is considered the father of public education in Louisiana.  He owned two plantations in Pointe Coupee area, endowed a trust fund for young brides without dowries which still exists today (as an educational fund), and was considered quite progressive in his attitudes toward slavery.  Visitors will find his grave on the grounds of the old Poydras School on Main Street in New Roads.

LeJeune House - Built around 1820 of primarily Louisiana colonial architecture, this home also boasts many classic features including Greek Revival cypress panelling. The LeJeune House was extensively remodeled in the late 1850s by the French architect Francois Avernant. Most of the eastern portion of the City of New Roads was formed by the subdivison of the Samson LeJeune plantation in 1909.

Maison Chenal - Follow Highway 414 to discover the extensive and careful restoration of a house built by Julien Poydras.  Dr. and Mrs. Jack Holden moved the house from its original location to its existing site in 1975, restoring it lovingly from the ground up while giving extensive oversight to the restoration of the Pointe Coupee Museum.  Here you will discover a recreation of a late 18th century style landscape replete with grazing horses.

Mon Coeur - Facing on beautiful False River, this home features deep french windows, leaded glass, carved mantels and massive white columns saved from historical mansions in New Orleans.  The grounds and gardens were designed by Louisiana Horticulturist, Steele Burden.

Parlange Plantation - Built in 1750 by the Marquis Viscent de Ternant, Parlange was constructed of bousilliage (mud, moss and deer hair) and cypress set over a hand-made brick raised basement. The home remains in the possession of the Marquis' descendents, the Parlange family. This National Historic Landmark features magnificent furnishings and paintings which are original to the home. Parlange is the most readily identified monument of Pointe Coupee's legendary history. Parlange can be found on False River Road five miles southwest of New Roads.

Pleasantview -  A creole raise cottage built in the early 1800's that overlooks False River at Oscar.  This property is now on the National Register.  The lower floor is entirely brick while the upper floor is of brick between post construction with cypress pegged posts, beams and joints.  The single chimney carries flues for four central fireplaces.  The home, a private residence, has been completely restored, and the impressive gardens cover about ten acres.

Pointe Coupee Parish Museum and Tourist Center - On the bank of False River, the Pointe Coupee Parish Museum and Tourist Center is housed in a unique Creole cottage built in the late 1700s. The Museum features a rare double-pitched roof. Open year round, the Tourist Center is located on Louisiana Highway 1 six miles south of New Roads.

Poydras Monument - Julien Poydras, known as "the father of public education in Louisiana", lies buried under this octagonal monument in front of Poydras High School in New Roads. Born in France in 1744, he traveled to the New World and established a store in Pointe Coupee in 1769. A successful merchant, banker, plantation owner and a national political figure, Julien Poydras was instrumental in founding the first public schools in Louisiana. Poydras never married, because, according to legend, his intended bride lacked a dowry. His will continues to this day to supply dowries for the poor brides of Pointe Coupee and West Baton Rouge parishes.

Randall Oak - The poem "Maryland! My Maryland!" was written in April, 1861, on False River while James Randall was Professor of English in the Poydras College of Pointe Coupee.  The poem was later put to music.  Randall Oak is located on False River Drive (Highway 1) in Mix, approximately two miles outside the city limits of New Roads.

Samson-Claiborne -  A creole plantation house, originally built in 1835 in the Waterloo community, was moved to historic downtown New Roads on logs pulled by mules to escape the encroaching flood waters of the Mississippi River.  Of architectural significance are the three rare wrap around french mantles and unique solid wood french doors between the rooms downstairs.

St. Mary's Catholic Church - The Catholic community of Pointe Coupee is the fourth oldest in Louisiana, dating to 1728.  The Gothic Revival-style structure tells the history of the church in Pointe Coupee through its stained glass windows on the face of the building.  Replacing a smaller church of 1823 vintage, the present church was built between 1094 and 1907.  It's interior treasures include magnificently carved altars and German stained glass windows.  St. Mary's Cemetery has many above the ground vaults that date back to the early 1700's and 1800's.  Many of the grave markers are inscribed in French.

St. Francis of Assisi Chapel - Established in 1728 with the first church built in 1760.  The present chapel was built on a smaller scale from the old timbers and materials of the original in the late 1800's.  Its bell bears a French fleur de lis that dates to 1719.  The original chalice and oil paintings date tot he 1600's and the statue of St. Francis was carved by Tunica Indians who were converted to Christianity.

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church - Dates back to 1848 and is one of the oldest brick edifices in Pointe Coupee Parish.  A Civil War monument to the "Unknown Soldier" can be viewed in its cemetery and is said to be the only one in the south.

White Hall Plantation - The house dates from 1849, and was the headquarters for Union General Nathaniel P. Banks during his siege of Port Hudson, La. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is clearly marked with a state historic marker.

Wickliffe (circa 1820) - Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, Wickliff is a two-story raised French Creole-style plantation home. Built on the original natural levee of the Mississippi River, Wickliffe was named after a once bustling but now forgotten community. The home is open for tours by appointment.