St. Francisville, Louisiana

From its rolling green hills to its charming bed & breakfasts, West Feliciana Parish is a wanderer’s paradise. Parish seat, St. Francisville, has been named one of the 55 most beautiful small towns in America by Architectural Digest, and has also earned accolades from Southern Living and Garden & Gun. Situated just 30 miles north of Baton Rouge, this quaint getaway is a convenient escape from life’s hustle and bustle.   

It's clear the minute you enter West Feliciana Parish that preservation is a high priority. Much of the land surrounding St. Francisville remains untouched, creating generous opportunities for hiking, cycling, kayaking, and birding. The area is home to the famed Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, where nature lovers go to spot the Champion Bald Cypress Tree, the largest Bald Cypress in North America. St. Francisville is also known for inspiring 19th Century naturalist and artist John James Audubon to paint his Birds of America series. In fact, you can walk in Audubon’s footsteps at the Mary Anne Brown Preserve, one of the locations he was known to take brush to canvas. Visit the Audubon State Historic Site to see where the artist lived during this two-year stay in the area.  

Family friendly and welcoming, West Feliciana Parish is home to numerous annual events, including the Tunica Hills Music Festival, the storied Angola Rodeo, and Christmas in the Country, a four-day holiday extravaganza filled with festive fun for all ages. Sports lovers have plenty to enjoy at the 250-acre state-of-the-art West Feliciana Sports Park, a multi-purpose recreational facility in St. Francisville featuring soccer, baseball, and softball fields; basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts; a rodeo arena, a one-mile walking path, and more than six miles of hiking and biking trails.  

While known for its quaint Southern sensibilities, West Feliciana Parish is also home to hair-raising attractions, including The Myrtles, voted one of the most haunted homes in America by numerous national media outlets. Enjoy a day or night tour, and don’t forget to take pictures. You might be one of the surprised visitors who sees a resident ghost in the frame. Another riveting attraction is the Angola State Prison Museum, whose self-guided tour offers a window into true crime in the Deep South and the evolution of Louisiana’s correctional system.  

A cornerstone experience of West Feliciana Parish is shopping and dining among its many locally owned establishments. Spend the day browsing for gifts, apparel, home décor, books, and fine antiques at one of many local retailers. Grab a bite at the Magnolia Café, the community’s beloved gathering spot. Spend the night at the luxe St. Francisville Inn or the cozy and quirky cabins that comprise the 3V Tourist Courts.  

The moment you enter West Feliciana Parish’s soothing environs, you’ll feel the stress of everyday life slip away. Visit St. Francisville for more great info to find your own inspiration.