Cajun Culture and Eco-Tours of Vermilion Parish

Acadian Heritage and Culture Fondation, Inc. d/b/a
Cajun Culture and Eco-Tours of Vermilion Parish
Vermilion Parish is a region with fascinating history and culture. From the settlement of the
area–beginning as early as 1757, by French, German, English, Spanish, Italian, and Acadian
colonists and the native Attapakas people–Vermilion Parish has evolved to become recognized
as “the most cajun place on earth,” as noted by its motto. Today, it is still common to hear Cajun
French spoken on the streets of its villages, towns, and hamlets. Vermilion Parish people are a
lively multicultural blend marinated in history and infused with a unique joie de vivre. Cajuns
make up a significant portion of its population and exert a huge impact on its culture. They are
family-friendly, predominately Catholic, and known far and wide for their lively Cajun music–as
well as their spicy Cajun cuisine using local ingredients, such as okra, rice, pecans, seafood, and
wild game.
Photo courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011) by W arren A. Perrin
Author Warren A. Perrin, local historian and cultural preservationist, served as president of the
Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL) and is a native of the parish.
In his latest book Vermilion Parish, he presents the history of Vermilion parish through its
citizens: families, farmers, students, ranchers, fisherman, educators, musicians, and politicians.
Always friendly and often colorful, the people who make up the intricate tapestry of the area tell
the beautiful story of Vermilion Parish’s rich history.
Mary Perrin has a Masters Degree in Visual Arts and artwork in two
national museums, the National Museum of W omen in the Arts, and the
Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a branch of the Smithsonian. She serves
on the Board of Directors/Art Director of the Acadian Museum and is a
founding member of the Louisiana Craft Guild. Shown is Mary Perrin and
her grandson, Henry Perrin.
Warren A. Perrin and Mary Perrin, married since 1969, parents of three children, Rebecca
Perrin Ouellet, Andrew Perrin and Bruce Perrin, will be your guides for the tour of the parish.
Vermilion Parish: “The most Cajun place on earth!”
8:30 am
Acadian Museum of Erath
For a glimpse into the life of the early Acadiens, visit the Acadian Museum of Erath. This
museum specializes in the promotion of local French heritage and culture and has
numerous displays and artifacts on the life and culture of the people, now known as
Cajuns, from Nova Scotia who settled in south central Louisiana. On display are
numerous exhibits on the transformation of the immigrants “Acadiens to Cajuns”
including rare artifacts from the 17th century unearthed by archaeologists from the original
Thibodeau(x) Acadian settlements in Acadia. Further, there is an extensive display on
the Acadian who led the first immigration to Louisiana, Joseph Beausoleil Broussard.
Perrin wrote his biography, Acadian Redemption, which was named the Best History
Book published in Louisiana by the Louisiana Press Women’s Association in 2004.
www.acadianmuseum.com
In 1990, attorney W arren A. Perrin filed a petition for an apology on
behalf of all Acadians against the British Crown for wrongs that occurred
during the Acadian exile from 1755-1763. On December 9, 2003, Queen
Elizabeth II’s representative, Adrian Clarkson, the governor general of
Canada, signed the Royal Proclamation, which is on display at the Acadian
Museum, acknowledging the Crown’s role in the deportation. The
proclamation decreed July 28 an annual day of commemoration. Photo
courtesy Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
Le Café du Musée
Located next door to the Acadian Museum, Le Café du Musée opens daily at 11:00
a.m. It is where many locals meet and speak French together. Monthly, the café hosts
the popular "Living Legends" program where individuals are honored for promoting
the Cajun culture. Please check the schedule on the museum’s website or call the café
because the programs are set on an irregular basis, but usually coinciding with the
Cajun music jam sessions. Jam sessions are held every other Saturday from 2:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m. For more information, call 337-937-0012. Free Cajun suppers are held
every Monday night. The traditional Cajun meals are donated by someone in the local
community. Supper is served at approximately 8:00 p.m. during the summer and at
7:00 p.m. in the winter.
Champagne’s Food
Market
This Cajun store in downtown Erath provides a full menu of plate
lunches and a unique collection of meats.
Shown are (L) Jim Landry, owner of CathLan Landscaping Services of
Abbeville and (R) W arren A. Perrin, of the Acadian Museum. Mr.
Landry donated the materials and labor for the preparation of a flower
garden to enhance the historical marker in the Town of Erath which
memorialized the first Acadian prairie settlement in the area. The
historical marker is situated on the northern shoulder of Louisiana
Highway 14 west of Erath.
9: 30 am
Don’s Boat Landing
For a comfortable, low key place to hang out and chat with locals,
Don’s Boat Landing on the Boston Canal, Gateway to the Gulf, is the
place to go. In business for over 50 years, and rebuilt after Hurricanes
Rita and Ike, new owners Tony and Norma Romero have plans to be in
business for many more years to come. View the shrimp boats and
pleasure boats housed at the landing, then go inside the country store
and bar, and enjoy a hamburger and one of their world-famous Bloody
Marys, If you are lucky, you will get some love from tiny little Lucy, the
sweetest little terrier you will ever meet, who visits often when Norma’s
parents are manning the bar!
10:30 am
M oss Ranch
Hank” Moss, son of former Sheriff Jack Moss (1956 to 1964), operates
a ranch in Vermilion where guests from France come to intern. The
cattleman learned to negate the effects of hurricanes by moving from a
traditional cow-calf enterprise to a stocker operation. Photo courtesy of
Mid-South Farmer and Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
11:30 am
Perrin Farm
At the Perrin farm, in operation since 1952, participants will see an organic
garden, rice fields, crawfish ponds and duck blinds. Cooking
demonstrations of crawfish and other Cajun specialties will be held. Here,
guests will share a meal while listening to twice Grammy nominated Cajun
musician D. L. Menard. Perrin Farms hosted NYU students for sampling
of crawfish cuisine. For more information, visit:
http://www.saveur.com/article/Travels/Postcard-crawfish-harvest-in-erathlouisiana
Shown here during the fall bird hunting season is the sun setting over the
duck pond located on the Perrin farm. In the spring, the duck blinds are
used to observe the many species of birds in the area. Photo courtesy of
Camille Comeaux.
Shown is the organic garden at the Perrin Farm.
View of the barn from the garden at the Perrin farm.
Shown at the Perrin farm are Mary Perrin and her granddaughter, Lily
Mae Perrin
On October 11, 2011, the Acadian Museum hosted Acadians from
Memramcook, New Brunswick during the Grand Reveil Acadien. The
group was provided with a Cajun meal prepared by museum volunteers.
D. L. Menard and Earl Brousssard provided entertainment for the group
The crawfish is now a symbol of Cajun culture. Before 1950, crawfish
were harvested only for individual consumption, but farmers soon realized
the commercial opportunities and began flooding and stocking rice fields
in the off-season. In the spring, fields across the parish are teeming with
people crawfishing. Shown at “Red” Richard’s Crawfish Patio in 1970 are,
from left to right, Diane Richard Frederick, unidentified, Ovey “Red” B.
Richard Jr., and Florine Richard Vincent. Photo courtesy of Vermilion
Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
Elemore Morgan Jr., the father of Louisiana landscape artists, was a gentle
giant of the arts. Vermilion Parish prairies, rice fields, and the big skies
over them served as his constant inspiration. He worked continuously to
promote the arts in Louisiana at Lafayette. His paintings of rice country in
Vermilion Parish have been widely exhibited during a distinguished career
as Louisiana’s foremost contemporary landscape painter. Morgan spent33
years teaching visual arts at the University of Louisiana and influenced
students and fellow artists around him. In 2000, Morgan received the New
Orleans Museum of Art’s Distinguished Artist Award and in 2001 was
inducted as a Living Legend. He died May18, 2008, and, subsequently,
September 18 was declared an annual “Elemore Morgan Jr. Day”by the
State of Louisiana. Morgan’s mother was Dorothy Golden of Abbeville.
(Photo courtesy Elemore Morgan Jr. Estate.)
The preparation and enjoyment of food were relaxing pastimes for
hardworking citizens. Roux, a browned mixture of flour and oil, provided
the thick, robust body for gumbo, sauce-piquante (highly seasoned stew),
rice dressing, and jambalaya. The Spaniards introduced spicy condiments.
Those shown preparing boudin in the 1950s are, from left to right, Eunice
Hebert, Clement Hebert, and Mrs. Dalton Sellers. Photo courtesy of
Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
D.L. Menard, Vermilion’s most famous Cajun musician, was dubbed the
“Cajun Hank W illiams” at the 1973 National Folk Festival. His most
famous song, “La Porte d’en Arrière” (The Back Door) remains a Cajun
classic. D.L. and his Louisiana Aces have performed in 38 countries. His
latest album, Happy Go Lucky, (Soileau Records, cover design by Megan
Barra) garnered Menard a second Grammy nomination in 2010. Photo
courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
Bancker, located south of Abbeville on the Vermilion River, was once a
bustling community with the following large plantations: Live Oak, Cade,
Hope Mill, and Ramsey Plantations. In 1890, Diedrich Ramsey donated
land for a school. In 1895, a Catholic church was established, but in 1939,
it was moved to H enry and renamed St. John the Evangelist Catholic
Church. Pictured in 1930 is the Bancker Grotto, which is maintained by
Les Chretiens as a site for contemplation. Photo courtesy of Vermilion
Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
Scene from the east bank (looking westward) of the Vermilion River at
Bancker, site of one of the earliest plantations to locate in Vermilion
Parish. Photo courtesy of Camille Comeaux.
Aurora Farm
Visit Aurora Farms, formerly McGhee Farm, in south Vermilion to see
a operating farm in the wetlands, using the system of levees and
drainage gates–similar to what the Acadians developed in Acadie.
There you will see a crawfishing operation on 140 acres of land and
abundant migratory birds and wildlife, including alligators and snakes.
Domingues Farm
Visit Domingues Farms, the largest sugar cane operation in Vermilion
Parish, and be hosted by a family of three generations of Cajun farmers
who will provide a lecture on the crop and bring visitors into the fields
to even get a sample taste of the sweet cane.
2nd Crop Farms
Be a guest of 2 nd Crop Farms owned by Ross Hebert, one of the
innovators of farming rice and crawfishing in south Louisiana, and learn
how they enjoy a symbiotic relationship.
W orkers hauling 200-pound sacks of rice onto a train for shipment to
New Orleans.
2:30 pm
Turkey Island swamp, owned by Ron Miguez - Abbeville Red Iris
Iris nelsonii (Abbeville Red Iris or Nelson’s Iris) is
Louisiana’s only endemic plant, the only plant unique to the
state. It is only found in cypress swamps south of Abbeville in
Vermillion Parish. It blooms in April and has large red
flowers pollinated by butterflies and hummingbirds. For this
rare visit to a remote swamp, your guides will be bi-lingual
landowner Ron Miguez, botanists with the Louisiana State
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Amity Bass, LA
Natural Heritage Manager, Christopher Reid, National
Heritage Program Botanist, and professors from Texas State
University, Dr. Nolan Martin, and Sunni Taylor, Assistant
Professor.
Also lecturing will be Dr. Whitney Broussard is a landscape
ecologist at UL Lafayette studying the effects of human
activities on water quality, wetlands, and coastal prairie
ecosystems. As a member of the Institute for Coastal Ecology
and Engineering, his primary focus is the fragile coastal zone
of Southwestern Louisiana. Dr. Broussard is an 8th generation
descendent of Alexandre "dit Beausoleil" Broussard, and an
avid defender of the Cajun way of life and the lands that have
sustained this livelihood.
4:15 pm
Depart for Abbeville for the night
4:30 pm
Lodging in Abbeville
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The Caldwell House (Carolyn - 337-281-0807)
Apartment A (Debbie - 337-652-6148)
Best Western (KP - 337-740-4100)
Extended Stay (Nina - 337-898-3180)
Executive Inn (Nash - 337-740-4666)
The Ducote Williams House a B & B (Diane - 337-898-0048)
7:00 pm
Dinner options in Abbeville
Shucks! The Louisiana Seafood House! is the only full-service oyster
house in Acadiana. W hile other restaurants serve oysters a few months out
of the year, Shucks is serving fabulous Louisiana oysters year round.
Shucks prepares oysters more ways than any restaurant anywhere. The
five types of charbroiled oysters outshine the best that even New Orleans
restaurants has to offer. Other outstanding items on the menu are our huge
white gulf shrimp, Vermilion Bay crab meat, delicious Louisiana crawfish
and our own Sugar Cane Pepper Glaze & Sugar Cane Vinegarette made
with authentic local Steen's Pure Cane Syrup. Steak lovers will enjoy the
Chairman's Reserve Angus Beef.
www.shucksrestaurant.com - (337) 898-3311
Dupuy's Oyster Shop–in a unique settling on the Vermilion River–is a local favorite
known for oysters on the half shell. Also served are seafood, steaks, pastas, poboys,
salads and daily specials. Join locals for the tradition of warm Cajun hospitality, great
service and delicious food.
Dupuy’s Oyster Shop
Contacts: Jody Hebert, owner/chef, or Jay Thornbill, manager
108 S. Main St.
Abbeville, LA
337-893-2336
www.dupuysoystershop.com
In 1869, Joseph Dupuy opened Dupuy’s Oyster Shop in Abbeville, using
a sailboat to harvest his oysters. Dupuy’s, still operating at the same
location, is a multi-generational business now recognized as one of the 10
oldest restaurants in the state. Shown in Dupuy’s in 1997 are, from left to
right, R.J. Benoit, Ann Gaspard, Lillian Comeaux, Earl Comeaux, and Don
Gaspard. Photo courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
9:00 am
Tour downtown Abbeville
Walking Tour of Downtown Abbeville, Parish Seat of Vermilion Parish
The tour begins in City Hall with coffee and beignets and a welcome by the mayor or
his representative. A local alligator farmer displays a small live alligator for the
visitors to examine as he talks about the particulars of alligator farming. Then, the
walking portion of the tour begins with a visit to the Vermilion Cultural and Historical
Center, the one hundred year old St. Mary Magdalen Church, and the near-by
Magdalen Square, which is accented by large oak trees, a fountain, and a gazebo. A
statue in memory of Père Antoine Désiré Mégret, founder of the town, also stands in
the square. A short walk from the square brings the group to the Vermilion Parish
War Memorial and to the Vermilion Parish Court House—the largest and most
distinctive building in downtown Abbeville. Last on the tour, for a bit of shopping,
the group visits the Depot at Magdalen Place, a restored 1894 train depot and caboose
museum. The tour lasts approximately one hour.
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The Depot at Magdalen Place - after you tour the downtown area, visit the Depot
at Magdalen Place for souvenirs, books about Cajun cooking and local history,
and to view the railroad museum. The Depot is an 1894 wood frame railroad
freight depot that houses a railroad museum, gift shop, tourist information, and
Cajun products. The Depot is free and open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am
to 5 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm (337-740-2112).
Louisiana Military Hall of Fame designed to honor Louisiana soldiers, sailors and
airmen who went above and beyond the call of duty in their service to our
country. It is the intention of the museum to pya tribute to these heroes by
detailing their service and heroic actions in combat. A short film highlights the
stories of the first inductees and the hall features such interesting items as an
original Korean Ware-era helicopter and a World War II landing craft.
In 2009, under the leadership of Fr. W illiam Blanda, a three-million dollar
project restored St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church of Abbeville after
damage from Hurricane Rita. Ceiling murals, Stations of the Cross, stained
glass windows, and altars were refurbished. The iconic landmark has now
been returned to its former glory. Pictured in 1950 are Abbevillians
Rayward Landry and Florine Joyce LeBlanc Landry following their
wedding at the church. Photo courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia,
2011).
The relationship Vermilion Parish has with water is unique— sometimes
entertaining or calming but at other times threatening and devastating.
Retired lieutenant general Russel Honoré, a French-speaking Creole
inducted as an Acadian Museum Living Legend, is shown in 2005 in Erath
supervising recovery after Rita. In his book, Survival, Honoré preaches
that houses that had been elevated prior to the storm survived without
major damage. (Photograph by Susan Poag; courtesy the Times-Picayune
and Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
12:00 pm
Lunch at Suire's Grocery and Restaurant
Now that you’ve worked up an appetite touring downtown Abbeville, head west to
Kaplan and on to Suire’s Grocery and Restaurant. A local favorite, Suire’s serves homecooked Cajun meals in a casual, family setting. Make sure to try their famous turtle sauce
piquant or “made-from-scratch” desserts. They also have many menu items packaged to
take with you. This family owned and operated restaurant has been featured in The New
York Times, Houston Chronicle, Country America and numerous Louisiana publications.
Open Monday thru Saturday (337-643-8911).
W hile crawfish is enjoyed throughout Louisiana, in Vermilion Parish it is
celebrated. More than mere nourishment, the crawfish is a symbol of the
region. Mounds of the 10-legged crustaceans are piled in the center of the
table so that everyone is able to converse throughout the meal. In 1990,
Patrick Stevenson (left) and Rufus Palombo are shown eating boiled
crawfish at the Vermilion Farmers Cooperative Association in Abbeville.
Photo courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
1:00 pm
Palmetto Island State Park
Take a driving tour of this facility located on the Vermilion River.
Palmetto Island State Park offers a real south Louisiana outdoor
experience. Overnight guests can stay in one of six vacation cabins, nestled
among the trees with a screened-in porch for listening to the crickets and
frogs sing out their evening melodies. There are 96 RV campsites to
choose from tent camping pads for those who like to get a little closer to
nature. The visitor center complex features a water playground and
bathhouse visitors. A multi-purpose room can be rented for meetings, and
other events. A boat launch provides access to the river for fishing and
boating, while interior lagoons allow canoers and kayakers an up-close
look at native plant and animal life.
2:15 pm
Kaplan Museum
Le Musées de la Ville de Kaplan has displays of the history and culture of Kaplan and its
people, as well as rotating art exhibits. A free self-guided or personal tour is offered.
Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm (337643-1528).
In 1906, Frenchman Eugene Eleazar moved to Kaplan and on July 14
started the Bastille Day celebration, which commemorated the beginning
of the French Revolution. Shown is the Deshotel family of Kaplan in 1908.
They are, from left to right, Jeanne, Mrs. Leon Forest, Lelia Forest,
Henrietta, Christine, Isabelle, Lucille, and Octave H. Deshotel Sr., the first
mayor of Kaplan. Photo courtesy of Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011) .
3:00 pm
Stansel Rice Mill
Stansel Gourmet Rice, one of the oldest gourmet rice companies in America, is a working
rice mill where they raise, harvest, dry mill and package their own labels of rice, flour and
fish fry. During crawfish season, you can also witness how crawfish are raised and
harvested. While visiting, be on the look out for the peacocks that roam the grounds.
4:00 pm
Vivian Alexander Gallery and Museum in Maurice
Renowned for his eggshell sculptures, Alexander Caldwell has a museum
near Maurice. In 2010, the exhibit “Defining and Redefining the Art of
Fabergé Eggs” opened at the Louisiana State Archives. In 2008, Emery
“Bichon” Toups, founder of Abbeville’s Giant Omelette Festival, was
presented with one of the Fabergé-like Caldwell eggs entitled “Bichon
Egg-Man.” Those pictured are, from left to right, Elray Schexnayder, the
third grand maître of the festival; Toups; and Caldwell. Photo courtesy of
Vermilion Parish (Arcadia, 2011).
Suggestions for a country drive: one of my favorite drives in South Louisiana is to take Hwy 82,
south of Abbeville to Pecan Island, Rockefeller Wildlife Reserve and Grand Chenier. Then go north
on Hwy 27 and take a right on Hwy 14 to the Lacassine Wildlife Refuge. You can google a map of
the reserve or stop at the welcome center to obtain more detailed information of the area. If you go
on Illinois Road off of Hwy 14, you get to see many types of wildlife up close. Then return to Hwy
14 and proceed in an easterly direction to return to Abbeville or go on to Interstate I 10 for a faster
drive back to your destination.
Interesting personalities of the Cajun culture who are available to meet our tours are: Allen Simon
(faith healer/French/humor), Bruce Perrin (food/french), Bubba Leblanc (boat building), Bubba
Demarcy (furniture making), Rebecca Ouellet (sewing/French), Pat Mier (film), Jean Ouellet
(fishing/hunting/French), David Bertrand (food), Sam Broussard (music/French), Eric Toups (justice
of the peace), Kirk Broussard (water control), David Dronet (hunting/fishing/boats), Andy Perrin
(architecture), Paul Poche (carpentry/ hunting), Lester "Pee Wee" Gayneaux (alligators), Nelwyn
Hebert (history), Bernie David (native-American), Andrew Babineaux (gardening/French), Sonny
Moss (horse racing/French), Angie Comeaux (gardening), Zachary Richard (bird
watching/music/French), Dorphy Landry (food/French), Val Delino (history), Julian Hinckley
(horses), Carlin Trahan (history/French), Dr. Shane Bernard (history), Joey Hebert
(agriculture/education), Mary Perrin (gardening), Ross Hebert (rice/crawfish farming), Ron Gaspard
(food/French), Ron Miguez (Abbeville Red Iris/French), Betty Bernard (culture), Lovelace Touchet
(hunting), Errol Domingues (sugarcane farming), Natial d'Augereau (song/dance), Vergie Mae
Delahoussaye (food/French), D.L. Menard (music/French), Nelda Menard (music), Dr. May
Waggoner (song/dance/french), Randal Perrin (cattle/French), Drew Landry (music/environment),
Rodney Dugas (cattle/French), Dot Mergist (food/French), Jonas Perrin (oil/French), Phillip & Alice
Desormeaux (Castle 337-783-3641) and other Cultural Representatives. Visit
www.acadianmuseum.com.
Birding, Nature Trail opened near White Lake - A 2-mile birding and nature trail opened April 12,
2012 at the state’s White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in Vermilion Parish. The trail, which
winds through 32 acres on the north side of White Lake, is open daily from sunrise to sunset. There
is no fee. Parking is available at the conservation area’s entrance, which is about 7 miles south of
Gueydan at the end of LA 91. For more information, visit: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/white-lakewca-birding-and-nature-trail