plantation tours st francisville louisiana

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Cultural Experience

Explore the heart of plantation country in st. francisville, louisiana.

Content Produced in Partnership with Louisiana Travel

Louisiana’s stunning plantation homes offer a unique insight into daily life during the Antebellum Era. While most of the state’s historic plantations are located along the Great River Road between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, there are a series of plantations located in West Feliciana Parish and St. Francisville. Roughly 35 minutes outside the state capital of Baton Rouge, these plantation homes have managed to stay in near-perfect condition thanks to local community efforts. If you want to avoid the lines, hear some ghost stories and speak directly with family descendants, these are the plantation homes you need to visit in St. Francisville this year.

Rosedown Plantation

While the exterior and alleyway aligned with 200-year-old oak trees closely resemble that of Oak Alley Plantation, Rosedown Plantation’s true beauty lies in its 18-acred pleasure gardens. These intricate gardens were the life’s work of Martha Turnbull, whose husband was one of the richest men in the US back in the 1800s. Inspired by their honeymoon in France and Italy, Martha steadily mapped out the intricate gardens, and many of the plants she originally rooted are still thriving today. Members of the Turnbull family lived in the home well into the 1950s and eventually sold it to Catherine Fondren Underwood. Underwood used Martha’s detailed diaries to restore the gardens and grand home, giving visitors remarkable insight into the daily lives of the family and slaves who once lived there. Rosedown Plantation is a state historic site and is managed by the Louisiana Office of State Parks.

Myrtles Plantation

Perhaps the most famous plantation in all of West Feliciana Parish, Myrtles Plantation, established by renegade “Whiskey Dave” back in 1796, is shrouded in local legend and folklore. The most infamous story is of Chloe, a slave girl who mistakenly poisoned the owner’s children and wife in an act of revenge. Current owners claim the home is one of the most haunted homes in America, citing no less than a dozen ghosts and other bizarre encounters on the property. Now a popular bed-and-breakfast, guests eagerly claim to have seen and spoken to Chloe in addition to seeing objects move on their own. You can decide for yourself if you believe the tales by partaking in one of the daily tours — or staying the night.

Oakley Plantation

Oakley Plantation predates several plantation homes across the state and is the only one that can claim itself as a temporary home to artist and naturalist John James Audubon. Built in 1803 and now part of the Audubon State Historic Site, Audubon lived at the home for four months during the 1830s. An arrangement with the mistress of the plantation allowed him to serve as a part-time tutor to her daughter. In exchange, Audubon used his free time to study and sketch the local wildlife. The deal was well worth it as Audubon created 32 paintings — all of which are featured in his famous Birds of America collection — during his time there.

Plan Your Visit

St. Francisville is located in the very heart of Plantation Country , but this hidden gem can be easy to miss if you’re driving too fast down Highway 61. A long weekend getaway will give you ample time to explore the plantation homes and countless historic sites in the area. Don’t just view history — embrace it with a one-of-a-kind stay at a plantation home. Carriage Plantation, Myrtles Plantation, Butler Green Plantation and Greenwood Plantation each offer overnight accommodations. Carriage Plantation (pictured above) in particular offers guests a free one-hour tour after its breakfast service as well. With one of these stunning historic homes as your base, you’ll be able to easily explore this sleepy town at your leisure. Click here to start planning.

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St Francisville

Plantation weekend in st. francisville, louisiana, a complete plantation experience, three days / two nights.

This tour is ideal for people who want to immerse themselves in the ambiance of the land and time “ Gone With the Wind ”, who enjoy the architecture and culture of the Old South, who love antiques and furnishings…or who just want a getaway weekend into another world!

You will live an ante bellum plantation dream as you stay overnight at Greenwood Plantation and tour the atmospheric village of St. Francisville plus seven area plantations. Get to know and appreciate the wooded, rolling cotton region called English Louisiana or The Felicianas – the “ Happy Land ,” thirty minutes north of Baton Rouge, on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi.

Tour Highlights

• THE COTTAGE – A working plantation with rambling mansion & outbuildings. Andy Jackson slept here after the Battle of New Orleans.
• THE MYRTLES – Called “America’s Most Haunted House”. A look into plantation history, both seen and unseen.
• ROSEDOWN – Famed gardens and mansion, denoting the elegance of the Old South.
• GREENWOOD – An enormous Greek Revival temple set deep in the Feliciana Woods.
• OAKLEY – Forest home of naturalist John James Audubon and his pupil Eliza Pirrie.
• CATALPA – A charming tour featuring world class antiques.
• AFTON VILLA – Boldly colorful gardens surrounding the ruins of the once impressive Gothic villa, sadly lost to fire.

Tour Includes

• Two nights at the Greenwood Plantation B&B
• Two full plantation breakfasts, two lunches, and two dinners
• All tour admission fees
• Motorcoach transport around St. Francisville and to/from New Orleans Airport
• Background materials with suggested readings and keepsake notes

Throughout the trip you will have the benefit of hearing cultural and historical experts talk with you about the life and homes of the people who lived here in the era now just a memory. Many of these will be the owners of the plantations themselves !

Copyright © 2009-2021 Heritage Tours LLC. All rights reserved.

Rosedown Plantation

The parents of Daniel and Martha (Barrow) Turnbull achieved high social status in West Feliciana through their immense cotton operations, and Daniel Turnbull himself was known before the Civil War as one of the richest men in the nation. The land that became Rosedown Plantation was assembled not by the then-usual method of Spanish Land Grants but in a group of seven purchases made by Daniel Turnbull from the 1820s through the 1840s. At its largest, Rosedown Plantation comprised approximately 3,455 acres, the majority of which was planted in cotton.

Currently, the main house, historic gardens, 13 historic buildings, and 371 remaining acres of Rosedown Plantation are preserved as a state historic site by the Office of State Parks. State Parks staff and volunteers work to conserve and maintain the site, conducting tours and programs to illustrate plantation life in the 1800s.

In 2005, Rosedown Plantation was placed on the National Listing of Historic Landmarks.

Read more about the history here .

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Short drive trips from st. francisville, la: exploring hidden gems.

St. Francisville, Louisiana, is a charming town steeped in history and Southern charm. A trip to St. Francisville is filled with great adventures. But what if you’re wanting to stay a bit longer and are looking to explore beyond the borders of West Feliciana Parish? Lucky for you, St. Francisville serves as an excellent starting point for some fantastic day

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West Feliciana Tourist Commission

P.O. Box 1548 11757 Ferdinand Street St. Francisville, LA 70775 Office: 225-635-4224 ​ Toll Free: 800-789-4221

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Oakley Plantation

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Oakley Plantation - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (4.19 mi) The St. Francisville Inn & Spa
• (4.78 mi) The Myrtles Plantation
• (3.53 mi) Best Western St. Francisville Hotel
• (5.08 mi) Shadetree B&B
• (2.72 mi) Hemingbough
• (3.55 mi) The Francis Southern Table and Bar
• (4.23 mi) Magnolia Cafe
• (4.21 mi) Cafe Petra Greek & Lebanese Restaurant
• (3.58 mi) The Francis Smokehouse
• (4.19 mi) St Francisville Inn & Spa

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Rosedown Plantation Historic Site

Get your cameras out for the corridor of live oaks fronting this attractive plantation home. Commissioned by Daniel and Martha Turnbull, the 1835 cypress-and-cedar house still contains many original mid-19th-century furnishings. Tours are a little old fashioned, focusing on the minutiae of aristocratic plantation life, but the building and grounds are impressive. Outside, the formal gardens have been meticulously restored based on Martha's garden diaries. Be warned: Rosedown is a major stop on the tour-bus circuit.

12501 Hwy 10

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225-635-3332

https://www.crt.state.la.us

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The Hotel Francis

Rosedown plantation, availability, the rosedown plantation in st. francisville louisiana.

Immerse yourself in the rich history and grandeur of the antebellum South by visiting the Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Located just 4 minutes away from The Hotel Francis, the Rosedown Plantation and Gardens encompass 374 acres of land showcasing the lifestyle of the antebellum South’s most affluent planters. As an official State Historic Site, the Rosedown Plantation’s history has been well documented and preserved, allowing for the immersive study and interpretation of the cultural traditions of slavery, the customs of the wealthy, and the scientific experiments in agricultures and horticulture of the time.

Originally built in the 1830s and owned by Daniel and Martha Barrow Turnbull, the plantation used to encompass a vast 3,455 acres which included agricultural land for cash crop, fields of fodder crops, pastureland for cattle, and stables for horses. Today, the working portions of the cotton plantation no longer exists, but visitors can still explore the Federal-Greek revival style great house and the expansive gardens.

Restored to its former beauty in the 1950s by Catherine Fondren Underwood, you can take a stroll along the same scenic garden paths that the Turnbulls once enjoyed and take a guided tour of the great house, still decorated with the luxurious furnishings the Turnbulls had selected from Europe and the Northeast. Learn more about the history and culture of plantation life in the 1800s at the Rosedown Plantaton in St. Francisville, Louisiana, an official National Listing of Historic Landmarks.

Visitor Information

12501 LA-10, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA +1 225-635-3332

Entrance fees:

Adults age 18-61: $12 Seniors age 62 and older: $10 Students age 4-17: $6 Children age 3 or younger: Free

Privacy Overview

14 Historic Plantations Everyone In Louisiana Must Visit

Kezia Kamenetz

Kezia Kamenetz is a native to southern Louisiana and lives in the Marigny neighborhood of New Orleans currently. When not writing about all the amazing things to be found in her state, her central passion is dreams and the wisdom they can offer, which you can learn more about by visiting KeziaVida.com

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Are you ready to dive deep into Louisiana history? Think about taking a look at the plantations in Louisiana. There are a huge number of beautiful buildings, luscious gardens, and historic artifacts that also represent some of the darker chapters of Louisiana’s history—such as chattel slavery. Today, these homes are available for tours, exploration and special events This mix of history, remembrance and celebrations make visits to Louisiana’s unique plantation homes a very fascinating way to spend an afternoon.

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Have you ever been to one of these homes? Which one is your favorite? We love to hear your memories of these Only in Louisiana trips!

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225-655-4475 - info@greenwoodplantation.com

Greenwood Plantation was built in 1830 by William Ruffin Barrow in the Greek Revival style of architecture with 28 columns surrounding the mansion. It is considered the South’s finest example of classic colonial. The original house burned down in 1960 leaving behind just the columns and front steps. It was rebuilt and now stands substantially as it did over a century ago amidst multiple alleys of mature, majestic, moss draped oaks. Furnishings include beautiful 1830 original Barrow family pieces. Also displayed are pieces from the many movies filmed on location. Greenwood is a favorite of Hollywood which has been featured in movies including “Louisiana,” “North & South,” “GI Joe II,” and “Jeepers Creepers III.”

Tours Available by Appointment Only

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Email:  info@greenwoodplantation.com   Phone: (225) 655 4475

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Evening Tours

Our Evening Mystery tours are conducted Sundays - Thursdays at 7pm, and Friday & Saturday evenings at 6:00, 7:00 and 8:00pm. These guided tours take place through the downstairs six rooms of the main home and focus on the history, mystery and folklore of the property and are an hour long. Evening tours often sell out and we recommend buying tickets ahead of time.

Restaurant 1796 would like to inform you that from January 4th, 2022 on we will officially launch Resy, our new reservation system. Please click the link to secure a booking or use the reservations tab on the website. Thanks!

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• 8 Serene Towns In Louisiana For A Weekend Retreat

You may have heard about Ragin' Cajuns, but what about Assuagin' Cajuns? By that, we mean the Louisiana concerned with rest, relaxation, and scenic recreation rather than ragin'. Believe it or not, there are patches of paradise amid the swamps and skeeters and gators, especially in and around communities that are small enough for a weekend's worth of R&R. From botanical gardens to a sandy beach to a Christmas river, here are the best Louisiana locales for a serene weekend retreat.

St. Francisville

With tendrils of Spanish moss framing the stately houses of former plantations, St. Francisville is hauntingly beautiful. Pleasure and thrill seekers travel to this tiny town to stay at The Myrtles, an 18th-century estate considered one of America’s most haunted homes. Today, it comprises a hotel, restaurant, and cafe on several luxuriant acres. If a potential ghost encounter is not on your St. Francisville itinerary, you can book a different plantation-turned-inn and then tour the Afton Villa Gardens, an expansive preserve of flowers and trees. Let Afton Villa be the start of a Deep South safari that takes you to Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, Tunica Hills Wildlife Management Area, and the Clark Creek Natural Area in nearby Mississippi . Clark Creek has colorful birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and fish mixing among its 50-some waterfalls.

Breaux Bridge

Technically a city despite having roughly 7,500 residents, Breaux Bridge is a quaint quasi-suburb of Lafayette and gateway to Lake Martin. Centering the Cypress Island Preserve, Lake Martin is a scenic hotspot that offers kayak and airboat tours of aquatic plants and animals. After eyeballing egrets and watching water lilies, visitors can stay at Maison Madeleine, an 1840s-built cottage that doubles as a venue for indigenous music and grand dinners - with crawfish likely on the menu since Breaux Bridge is the "Crawfish Capital of the World." Beyond numerous Cajun restaurants that make unique and delicious use of that compact crustacean, the city hosts a crawfish festival each May.

Natchitoches

Although a tongue twister, the Kisatchie near Natchitoches is one of the least twisted and most serene places in the state. It is Louisiana's only national forest and contains more than 600,000 acres of pines, swamps, and vibrant wildlife. Considered the best spot in the preserve, Longleaf Vista, with its rock bluffs and conifer canopy, might make you think you are in Montana . Different but still serene vistas are on the other side of Natchitoches around the Toledo Bend Reservoir . In saying this, you do not have to leave Natchitoches for sweet views. This small community straddles the Cane River and stuns with waterfront nature, architecture, and a Christmas festival going into its 98th year. Over 300,000 lights and 100 set pieces illuminate the river from November to January. See them from your window at Jefferson House Bed and Breakfast.

Abita Springs

A North Shore town of about 2,600 people, Abita Springs sits on the Tammany Trace, a 31-mile railroad converted into a hiking/biking/horseback riding trail and wildlife conservation corridor. The Abita Springs Trailhead Museum softens tracers with beautiful art and artifacts, while the Abita Mystery House piques their curiosity with quirky collectibles and constructions, including a half-dog, half-alligator. Bogue Chitto State Park and the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, located well off the beaten Tammany path, entice serious sightseers with a wide range of scenery from rolling hills to thick swamps. Make Abita Springs Hotel your base for a verdant north shore vacation.

New Iberia is larger than its neighbor, Breaux Bridge, but has arguably more serenity. This 28,000ish-person city is wreathed by Rip Van Winkle Gardens and Jungle Gardens, two similarly scenic botanical preserves. The first spans some 15 acres of semi-tropical flowers shaded by ancient oak trees and guarded by Buddhist statues and statuesque peacocks. The second is a 170-plus-acre herb and bird sanctuary located on nearby Avery Island, a salt dome celebrated as the source of Tabasco sauce. A tour of the Tabasco factory and a meal at the Tabasco restaurant are salty finishes to an Avery Island excursion. Rest up at La Maison du Bayou Petite Anse, an authentic bayou-based cottage.

True to its name, Grand Isle is a terrific town on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico . Oceanic activities like swimming, boating, fishing, and beachcombing are Grand Isle's obvious attractions, but it also offers inland adventures at Grand Isle State Park. Covering 140ish acres at the eastern tip, the park has lush foliage, hiking and horseback riding trails, views of historic Fort Livingston, and various types of campsites, including tent-only. While being rocked to sleep with a warm sea breeze is heaven for some, others prefer to stay at the Blue Dolphin Inn & Cottages with easy access to air conditioning, shops, restaurants, and annual events like the Grand Isle Migratory Bird Celebration.

Topping Natchitoches' Montana-esque pine hills, Ruston neighbors a whole damn mountain. It is a "damn" mountain because it does not qualify as an actual mountain, but at 535 feet above sea level, Driskill Mountain looks like a mountain, sounds like a mountain, and is the highest natural point in Louisiana . Access to this picturesque peak is a short hike and a drive from Ruston, which claims its own oasis called Lincoln Parish Park, a 280-ish-acre preserve with a forest, lake, and one of the best mountain biking trails in America. Between the park and mountain is Ruston's range of harmonious haunts like The Cottage of Ruston Bed & Breakfast, Mitcham Farms, and Bad Wolf BBQ, which is said to have the best barbeque in the state.

Located just south of Abita Springs, Mandeville is perhaps the most scenic stop on the Tammany Trace. The tiny city straddles Lake Pontchartrain, so Tammany tracers get wonderful aquatic views alongside luxuriant looks of Northlake Nature Center and Fontainebleau State Park. As they continue on to Lacombe and Slidell, they also pass the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge and Camp Salmen Nature Park. They would be wise to overnight in Mandeville, though, especially at Blue Heron Bed and Breakfast, an award-winning historic inn offering amazing rooms, foods, and garden views.

Louisiana has a rough and tumble reputation as a state hacking its way through gator-infested undergrowth. But many of its small communities, like St. Francisville, Breaux Bridge, Natchitoches, Abita Springs, New Iberia, Grand Isle, Ruston, and Mandeville, have pleasant downtowns flanked by big and bright terrain. Say bye to the bayous and hi to hills, beaches, botanical gardens, and even a mini-mountain during a serene Louisiana weekend.

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