Named The Most Beautiful Small Town In Louisiana, Take A Closer Look At St. Francisville
By Jackie Ann|Published August 02, 2022
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Jackie Ann
Author
Louisiana native and LSU Alum (Geaux Tigers!), Jackie has lived in Louisiana for over three decades and currently lives in New Orleans. She's been writing for OnlyInYourState since 2016 and can often be found with a coffee at her side, dreaming of her next adventure.
There are so many beautiful small towns in Louisiana that it can be hard to name the most beautiful, but we think St. Francisville deserves the top honor. This sleepy little town in West Feliciana Parish has a little bit of something for everyone: nature, history, great food, and maybe even a ghostly tale or two. Let’s take a closer look at what makes St. Francisville so beautiful, shall we?
Nestled in West Feliciana Parish, St. Francisville is a charmingly beautiful town with a population of fewer than 2,000.
The 9,623-acre refuge is home to many migratory birds, plants, and other animals, but there’s one particular crown jewel here that you need to see to believe.
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Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge is also home to the largest bald cypress in the United States.
The National Champion Baldcypress stands 83 feet tall with a circumference of 54 feet and a diameter of 17 feet. It’s the sixth-largest tree of any kind in the country and it’s estimated to be about 1,000 years old!
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After you visit Cat Island, check out the Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve
Mary Ann Brown Nature Preserve boasts over 100 acres of natural beauty to enjoy, including a 1.5-mile nature trail where you may see some wildlife including whitetail deer, bobcat, fox squirrel, and even eastern chipmunks!
History lovers, we didn't forget about you. Just on the outskirts of town is the Audubon State Historic Site, where famous ornithologist and artists John James Audubon lived in 1821.
Here, you can visit the Oakley Plantation, where Audubon lived for four months while he taught the plantation owner's daughter how to draw. If you’re a fan of Audubon’s artwork, this area was the setting for many of his paintings from his book, The Birds of America.
For food, you have plenty of options. Magnolia Cafe is one of our favorites.
Often called "The Mag" by locals, Magnolia Cafe is a locally owned spot featuring a fun mix of, well, a little bit of everything, so you can bet there's something on the menu for everyone.
From po'boys to pizza, The Mag has an extensive menu with several daily specials.
In addition to filling up on good food, they also often feature live music and they even have cabins available to rent if you'd like to extend your stay. With food this good, we wouldn't blame you if you never wanted to leave! Visit their website for more information regarding the cabins and any future events.
Many who come to St. Francisville enjoy a visit to the historic Myrtles Plantation.
Known as one of the most haunted places in the country, overnight guests at this plantation-turned-bed-and-breakfast have reported paranormal activity in nearly every room.
What’s your favorite thing to do in St. Francisville? Let us know in the comments below. Once you’ve spent a day or two here, you’ll want to check out even more of Louisiana’s beautiful small towns. Don’t worry, we’ve got plenty!
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