Louisiana · the United States

Lafayette and the Cajun Country

Acadiana, in southern Louisiana: the Cajun and Creole culture of Lafayette, zydeco dances, Lake Martin and the cypress swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin, starting from Breaux Bridge.

Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta

In the photo: Bayou Teche and its lift bridge, in Breaux Bridge.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Southern Louisiana, west of New Orleans, is called Acadiana or Cajun Country. It is a region of prairies, bayous and cypress swamps where French has been spoken for more than two centuries alongside English.

The Cajuns are descendants of the Acadians, French settlers expelled by the British from the former Acadie in present-day Canada beginning in 1755. Many settled in this area in the following decades. The word Cajun comes from acadien. Living alongside them are the Creoles, descendants of French, Spanish, African and Indigenous peoples, who created zydeco, dance music featuring accordion and a washboard used as an instrument.

Lafayette, the region’s largest city, is the starting point. It has a university, museums, the historic village of Vermilionville and live-music dances, as well as two major festivals in April and October. To the south, Avery Island shelters gardens and a heron rookery.

Breaux Bridge, about 15 km away, sits on the banks of Bayou Teche and calls itself the world’s crawfish capital. Near it are Lake Martin, a cypress swamp with rookeries and alligators, and the vast flooded floodplain of the Atchafalaya River.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Lafayette, Breaux Bridge.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Lafayette and the Cajun Country is

Boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau / geoBoundaries (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Lafayette and the Cajun Country

✈ Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) · 6 km to Lafayette

Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) is about 6 km from downtown and has domestic flights. I‑10 connects Lafayette to Baton Rouge, about an hour away, and to New Orleans, about two and a half hours. Entry requirements depend on nationality: confirm the rules before you travel.

Suggested arrival point: Lafayette

Luisiana · Lafayette and the Cajun Country Suggested arrival point

Lafayette

Largest city in Acadiana, founded in 1821 as Vermilionville on the banks of the Vermilion Bayou. It is the center of Louisiana’s Cajun and Creole culture, with live music, festivals and regional-food restaurants. The historic village of Vermilionville, St. John Cathedral with its centuries-old oak, and the Avery Island gardens are among the sights.

Luisiana · Lafayette and the Cajun Country

Breaux Bridge

Small town on the banks of Bayou Teche, about 15 km from Lafayette, that proclaims itself the crawfish capital of the world. It has a center of antique shops and restaurants with Cajun and zydeco music. It is the gateway to Lake Martin and the Atchafalaya Basin, and is close to St. Martinville, linked to the poem Evangeline.

The local experience

Things to do in Lafayette and the Cajun Country

Breaux Bridge · Louisiana · Nature reserve

Lake Martin

A cypress and tupelo lake south of Breaux Bridge, with a large rookery of herons and roseate spoonbills in spring and alligators in the warm months. Boat tours depart from the shores.

Lafayette · Louisiana · Museum

Vermilionville

Historic village and open‑air museum on the banks of the Vermilion Bayou, with Acadian, Creole and indigenous houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, working artisans and dances with live music.

Breaux Bridge · Louisiana · Natural area

Atchafalaya Basin

The largest river swamp in the United States, crossed by I-10 on a bridge of about 29 km. Boat tours depart from Henderson, near Breaux Bridge.

Lafayette · Louisiana · Church

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

A brick Catholic cathedral from 1916 in downtown Lafayette, with an oak over 450 years old beside it and an old cemetery with raised graves.

See 2 more places in Lafayette and the Cajun Country

Lafayette · Louisiana · Garden

Jungle Gardens (Avery Island)

Gardens and reserve on Avery Island, south of Lafayette, with oaks, camellias, azaleas, a heron rookery and an old Buddha statue, near the Tabasco sauce factory.

Breaux Bridge · Louisiana · Historic site

Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site

A state park on the banks of Bayou Teche in St. Martinville, with a creole house circa 1815, a reconstructed Acadian farm, and the history of the poem Evangeline.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Spring and late autumn have the most comfortable climate, with highs between 18 °C and 28 °C. In spring, herons and roseate spoonbills often nest at Lake Martin. Summer is very hot and humid. The Gulf hurricane season runs from June to November, with the greatest number of storms in August and September.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Three days allow for Lafayette and Vermilionville, a boat trip on Lake Martin or the Atchafalaya, and a day on Avery Island and in St. Martinville. With two days, combine Breaux Bridge and Lake Martin in a single day.

Which city to stay in

In Lafayette, downtown near the live-music bars, or along the Johnston Street area, which has more lodging options. In Breaux Bridge, the downtown by the bayou has small guesthouses. Some old regional houses operate as accommodations.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Lafayette and the Cajun Country

What is the difference between Cajun and Creole?

The Cajuns are descendants of the Acadians expelled from present-day Canada in the 18th century. Creole is a broader term, used by descendants of French, Spanish, African and Indigenous peoples born in Louisiana. The two cultures coexist and blend in Acadiana.

Is French still spoken in Acadiana?

Yes. Louisiana French is spoken mainly by older generations and is taught in immersion schools. Bilingual signs and French songs are common.

Where can you dance zydeco near Lafayette?

At dance halls and restaurants with live music in Lafayette and Breaux Bridge, some of which have Saturday morning dances. Schedules change: check the program in the week of your trip.

Do you need a car in Cajun Country?

Yes. Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, Lake Martin, Avery Island and the small towns are spread out, and public transport does not reach those places.

What time zone is Lafayette in?

Central Time: UTC−6 in winter and UTC−5 in daylight saving time, from March to November.

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Lafayette and the Cajun Country

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip