Places to Paint
Throughout Acadiana, there are many picturesque scenes perfect for painting en plein air.
Formerly called La Chapelle, Abbeville was purchased by founding father Pere Antoine Desire Megret, a Capuchin missionary, on July 25, 1843 for $900. The county seat in Vermilion Parish, Abbeville is home to Palmetto Island State Park, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and C.S. Steen's Syrup Mill. For access to the Visitor Guide, click here.
On the original site of an Attakapas Indian village and settled by the French in the 18th century, Arnaudville is one of the oldest remaining towns in St. Landry Parish and Louisiana. First called La Murière, Arnaudville was later known as La Jonction which meant "The Junction" translated from French. Arnaudville is home to Nunu Arts and Culture Collective, Bayou Teche Brewing, and beauitful bayou scenery.
Avery Island, better known as the birthplace of Tabasco Sauce, is also home to Jungle Gardens, a extensive botanical garden with thousands of flowers and an egret sanctuary. The 1868 Restaurant serves spicy, Cajun and classic favorites seasoned with Tabasco Sauce.
Between Grand Isle and Cameron, Cypremort Point is one of the very few locations near the Gulf of Mexico that can be reached by car. A half-mile stretch of a man-made beach provides a delightful area for relaxing, picnicking, and enjoying the water. Located in the heart of a Louisiana marsh, the site contains an abundance of wildlife, and the quiet observer may happen upon nutria, muskrat, alligator, or a number of bird species native to the state. Deer, black bear, rabbits, opossum and red fox also make their home in this area.
Address: 306 Beach Lane, Cypremort Point, LA 70538
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 7 AM to 9 PM | Friday to Saturday, 7 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $3 per person
The town of Delcambre is a small seaport and is home to the annual Shrimp Festival. Bayou Carlin, also known as the Delcambre Canal, connects the small community with the Gulf of Mexico, helping to make for Delcambre's famous shrimp harvests.
Don's Boat Landing opened in the early 1960s, and has since been known as the Gateway to the Gulf because of its location at the entry way of the Boston Canal. The Boston Canal travels south to the Vermilion Bay, which leads to the Gulf of Mexico. Enjoy live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from nine to midnight. The landing's restaurant offers deli sandwiches, burgers, pulled pork sandwiches, pizzas, and grilled chicken meals.
Address: 5515 W. La Hwy 688, Erath, LA 70533
Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 6 AM to 9 PM | Thursday to Saturday, 6 AM to 2 AM
The Grand Coteau Historic District is one of the few primarily rural districts on the National Register of Historic Places. Grand Coteau is noted for its magnificent trees that form alleys, groves, and gardens. Within the district there are over 70 structures designated as architecturally significant. Creole, French, Acadian, Anglo-American and Victorian styles are reflected in the houses, stores, and religious institutions. Hear the story and visit the shrine of the Miracle of Grand Coteau at the Academy of the Sacred Heart, then stop to browse the antique and gift shops, or sample the local cuisine. The shops and restaurants, all housed in renovated historic buildings are a treat in themselves.
Jefferson Island is one of five wooded “islands” in Louisiana’s delta country that rise up above grassy marshlands and prairies. This high ground sits atop large columns of salt two to three miles and five miles or more in depth. According to legend, the pirate Jean Lafitte buried his treasures under the giant live oaks that would later shelter a home and garden — Rip Van Winkle Gardens. Rip Van Winkle Gardens is home to the Joseph Jefferson Mansion and its exotic 15-acre gardens, Rip’s Rookery, the chosen residence for local roseate spoonbills, and Cafe Jefferson.
Address: 5505 Rip Van Winkle Road, New Iberia, LA 70560
Lafayette Travel was created in 1974 to serve as a tourism promotion and marketing coordinator for all of Lafayette Parish.
Address: 1400 NW Evangeline Throughway, Lafayette, LA 70501
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM | Saturday & Sunday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, formerly the home site of the Chitimacha Indians, occupies a 6,000-acre site in the Atchafalaya Basin. Fishing, boating, and canoeing opportunities can be found at the park, in addition to hiking and canoe trails, which offer an "up close" view of the area plant and wildlife. Nearby areas of interest include the city of St. Martinville and the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.
Address: 5400 Levee Road, St. Martinville, LA 70582
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM | Friday & Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $3 per person
The Cypress Island Nature Preserve at Lake Martin is home to a variety of species of colonial nesting water birds and native plants. Lake Martin is one of Louisiana’s largest nesting colonies for many species of water birds, including the Anhinga, Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Little Blue Heron, Tri-colored Heron, Cattle Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, White Ibis, and Roseate Spoonbill. Lake Martin is also used as a rookery for many species year-round. The preserve is currently owned and managed by the Nature Conservancy. They also maintain a visitor's center and a boardwalk over the swamp at the South end of the lake.
Address: 1209 Rookery Road, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Hours: Visitor Center is opened Wednesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM
Mouton Plantation is a bed and breakfast that sits in the center of the Sterling Grove National Historic District. The house and surrounding structures that are now part of the B&B were built by Charles Mouton (1797-1848), son of Lafayette’s founder, Jean Mouton (1754-1834). The house was built in 1820 on the property that was once part of Jean’s 300 acre plantation. Charles Mouton, also a planter, built the house in anticipation of his marriage to Marie Julie Latiolais, daughter of Joseph Latiolais, a French Creole of La Point, Louisiana. Charles Mouton was Governor of Louisiana from 1843 to 1846, paving the way for his son, Charles Homer Mouton, to inherit the plantation home and be elected Louisiana Lieutenant governor in 1855.
Address: 338 North Sterling Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
The area surrounding Vermilionville, known as the Bayou Vermilion District, is a water recreation getaway. Canoes, kayaks, fishing, parks, and trail routes are the perfect way to experience nature in Cajun Country.
Palmetto Island State Park offers a real south Louisiana outdoors experience. Palmetto Island is named for the abundance of palmettos that can be found beneath the tree canopies. The Visitor Center houses a multi-purpose room and restroom facilities, and a water playground is located nearby. A pavilion overlooks the Vermillion River with additional access via a boat launch. Interior lagoons allow canoers and kayakers the opportunity to observe native animal and plant life. Four picnic pavilions and strategically placed picnic sites offer a place to eat a packed lunch. Six two-bedroom cabins offer housing for guests. An aquatic pavilion overlooks the Vermilion River.
Address: 19501 Pleasant Road, Abbeville, LA 70510
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM | Friday & Saturday, 8 AM to 10 PM
Cost: $3 per person
Vermilionville is a living history museum and folklife park that promotes the cultural resources of the Acadian, Native American, and Creole people from 1765 to 1890. The 23-acre park is located on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion with 19 attractions, including seven restored original homes with more than 13 local artisans that provide demonstrations on a variety of essential crafts performed by early settlers.
Address: 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette, LA 70508
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 AM to 4 PM
Cost: $10 per person, offers AAA and military discounts
Interested in helping to make Shadows Plein Air a success? We have lots of opportunities!
​
-
Give suggestions on interesting places for our artists to paint
-
Host an artist throughout competition week
-
Sponsor/provide lunch for artists one day during the week
-
Sponsor an award
​​
Contact us at Shadows@ShadowsOnTheTeche.org or (337) 369-6446 if you're interested!