Three Acadiana Towns Named Most Picturesque In Louisiana

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then several communities in Acadiana have a lot to say. Three communities, nestled in the heart of Acadiana - the nickname given to the portion of the state in and around the city of Lafayette and the Atchafalaya Basin have been named to a list by World Atlas of the most picturesque places in the nation and in the state.

pink flowers on body of water — Photo by Carlo Lisa on Unsplash

If you consult your dictionary, you'll find the word picturesque means visually attractive, charming, often in a quaint or old-fashioned way. Each of the three towns chosen by World Atlas to represent Acadiana certainly falls under the heading of charming, quaint, and old-fashioned in many respects.

8 Louisiana Communities Earn "Most Picturesque" Honors

The editors at World Atlas, an online travel site and content aggregation site concerning travel, trips, and education, selected eight communities for their list. They have created similar lists for other states, so if you're interested in visiting picturesque communities, be sure to check out the entire list for each state.

Among the communities chosen for the list in Louisiana but not in Acadiana are Natchitoches, Abita Springs, Covington, Grand Isle, and St. Francisville. All of those cities are wonderful to visit. Especially if you can take some time to explore casually. I think casual exploration is by far the best way to experience any of these towns.

What Are the Most Picturesque Cities in Acadiana?

Breaux Bridge was included in the World Atlas list. The article suggests the Breaux Bridge rose to fame on the heels of the Crawfish Festival but has parlayed that notoriety into a unique culture of its own. The city offers excellent antique shopping and a wide array of dining choices and live music too.

Breaux Bridge was also singled out because of its proximity to the great outdoors and natural destinations such as Lake Martin and the Atchafalaya Basin. So guests can get an "in-town" experience and an "out-of-town" experience with one stop.

Breaux Bridge, St Martinville, and New Iberia Selected by Online Site

The reasons for choosing St Martinville, Louisiana, as one of Louisiana's most picturesque towns are very similar to those of Breaux Bridge. The two towns are just a few miles down the road, and unless there is a high school football game, most of the time residents get along with each other just fine.

St Martinville has the history of the Evangeline Oak and the reputation of being "petit Paris". The city's architecture is unique, and there is a lot of history steeped in the streets and sidewalks of this picturesque spot in Louisiana.

The third Acadiana town to make the "Most Picturesque List" is New Iberia. Funny how all of these communities, Breaux Bridge, St Martinville, and New Iberia, are so close physically yet so different in style and culture.

New Iberia has received many national awards for its cityscape and historic preservation efforts. The Queen City of the Teche has been a center for theatre, music, and food for decades, and now more and more visitors are discovering its charms as well.

7 Places We'd Stop Between Broussard and Morgan City

If you make the drive on Highway 90, you know it can be a challenge, but at least you don't have to face the challenge hungry. We've identified 7 spots on or very near Highway 90 that are worth pulling over for. We're sure there are more, so feel free to add to the list.

Gallery Credit: Bruce Mikells