Located near White Castle is the small community of Bayou Goula. It was there that the first Catholic chapel of the Louisiana Purchase Territory was built in 1699 by a priest accompanying explorer Pierre LeMoyne Sieur d’Iberville on his discovery of the area. Today, it is home to St. Paul’s Catholic Church, which was built in 1871, restored in 1971 and is still used for some church services.

Bayou Goula is also home to the Madonna Chapel, listed in Ripley’s Believe It or Not as the smallest church in the world. The chapel remains open to visitors and those seeking its peace and solitude on a daily basis.

The residents take great pride in Old Dorseyville School, which was restored in the 1990s. It was in this two-story building that African American children of the area received their education from 1892 to 1952. Located just across the street from the school is St. John Baptist Church, a National Register property constructed in 1868.

The picturesque route through Bayou Goula and White Castle via the River Road to La. Hwy. 404 provides access to some of the best fishing and hunting areas of the state in Bayou Sorrel and Bayou Pigeon.  on LaCroix Road in the community of Dorseyville, just outside White Castle. The school house, which provided the only education available to African American children in the area until the 1950s, was restored in the mid 1990s. Today it is used for a variety of community activities.

ST. RAPHAEL CEMETERY

One of the oldest cemeteries in the state, St. Raphael is located on River Road just a few miles south of Plaquemine. It dates back to the 1800s and is the resting place of Iberville’s only native son to serve as governor of the state, Paul O. Hebert.

ST. JOHN BAPTIST CHURCH & SCHOOL HOUSE

Built in 1868, this church of cypress wood is believed to be the oldest African American church in this region. It was built under the direction of Rev. Basile Dorsey, who was also instrumental in building the school house across the street from the church.  The church is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places and is still used for services each week. The school house, which provided the only education available to African American children in the area until the 1950s, was restored in the mid 1990s. Today it is used for a variety of community activities.

CORA TEXAS SUGAR MILL

One of only 13 remaining sugar mills... Cora Texas was established in 1928. At that time railway cane cars carried sugarcane to the mill for processing, and the mill had 145 cars. In 1948 the mill was purchased by the Kessler family, which still operates the mill today. Through the years, the mill has grown from a small operation that ground about 1,000 tons of cane a day to handling15,000 tons  daily during grinding season. The railroad operation was discontinued in 1948, replaced by tractor-trailer operation on the new La. Hwy. 1. During grinding season (October through January), the mill operates 24 hours a day and currently grinds approximately 1.3 million tons of sugarcane into 300 million pounds of sugar annually.

ACADIAN SWAMP TOURS

The peaceful, yet mysterious swamps of South Louisiana can be enjoyed in the comfort of a 34-passenger tour boat with Acadian Swamp Tours. The 1 1/2 hour tour takes visitors along moss draped cypress trees, fascinating plant life and an assortment of critters, including alligators. Acadian is big on customer comfort, offering padded seats, handicapped accessibility and a bathroom on board. Additionally, Acadian is the only swamp tour company in the state to offer a 10-hour excursion tour through the Atchafalya Spillway, taking visitors to areas where native Americans and explorers adventured. A live alligator exhibit is provided, and visitors are guaranteed to see an alligator on the tour.

Located off Hwy. 404 on New Camp Road in White Castle. Hours: Tours offered at 9 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. daily. Later departures are available on a reservation basis. Reservations are highly recommended for all tours. Phone: (225) 268-0271. www.acadianswamptours. 

THE LAST WILDERNESS SWAMP TOUR

A departure from other swamp tours, The Last Wilderness offers more personalized tours in a Cajun fishing boat made to go deep into the swamp. It offers access to the most remote places in the Atchafalaya. You’ll experience gigantic trees, native wildlife and tour with a local who has lived off the land by hunting and fishing for the past 13 years. The Atchafalaya contains some of the country’s most productive fish and wildlife habitat, including giant alligator gars, deer, coyotes, alligators, bobcats, turtles, bald eagles, bears, osprey and more. Tours are limited to six persons.

The Last Wilderness also offers canoe rentals and guided canoe expeditions. Located in Bayou Sorrel, the tour meets at Blondie’s, a local restaurant offering authentic Cajun cooking and American fare. Tours are 2 hours and are offered by reservation only. Phone: (225) 953-1020 or (225) 692-4114.

Website:www.lastwildernesstours.com

BLONDIE’S

Blondie’s is not your typical country Cajun restaurant. In fact, it’s got a bit of a Hollywood atmosphere, mainly because of its name. Blondie’s is named after famed movie star Marilyn Monroe and features Monroe memorabilia throughout. But it has a Cajun connection too, located just across the street from the Intracoastal Waterway and serving boiled and fried seafood, steaks, and fried chicken, along with the traditional fare of hamburgers and poboys. Located at 33125 Hwy. 75 in Bayou Sorrel. Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Phone: (225) 659-7788.

CAFÉ BY THE RIVER

Home cooked meals in a casual atmosphere are what keeps bringing locals back to Café by the River. It serves lunch specials daily, fried seafood, fried and grilled chicken, hamburgers, salads, poboys, sandwiches and homemade desserts. Additionally, it offers a variety of Southern breakfast items. Located at 32025 Hwy. 1, White Castle. Hours: Monday-Friday 5:30 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: (225) 545-3899.

GRACIE’S DRIVE-INN

Located near the bayou, Gracie’s takes advantage to offer alligator in season. Its fare also includes seafood, broasted chicken and plate lunches.  Everyone in the family can find something to his liking on this country restaurant’s menu. Located at 36076 Hwy. 75 in Plaquemine. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Phone (225) 545-2200.

NOTTOWAY PLANTATION RESTAURANT

Lunch and dinner is offered in the elegant, yet relaxed atmosphere of Nottoway’s Randolph Hall. Nottoway features Cajun and Creole cuisine by Cajun Chef Johnny “Jambalaya” Percle. His specialty is the Cajun Two-Step, which is a levee of jambalaya surrounding a river of shrimp Creole. Percle’s cooking skills have been noted by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, which rated Nottoway as a “Top 25 American Inn with Super Chefs.”  The 300-seat restaurant features linen tablecloths and a grand piano which is used to provide musical entertainment on Saturday nights and for special events, receptions and gala functions. Located on the grounds of Nottoway Plantation, access to the restaurant can be attained without paying an admission fee. Hours: Open daily for lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and dinner 6 p.m.-8 p.m. (225) 545-2730.

NOTTOWAY PLANTATION

Rated as a “Top 25 American Inn with Super Chefs” by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, Nottoway offers its guests rooms and suites furnished with period antiques, a guided tour of the mansion and a wake-up breakfast consisting of sweet potato muffins, coffee and juice delivered to your room. Additionally, a full plantation breakfast is served in the first floor dining room. Guests also have complete access to the mansion after 5 p.m.

The 10 rooms and three suites at Nottoway are located either within the mansion or in adjacent cottages. The Bridal Suite has a Jacuzzi and a private swimming pool. Located with access off of River Road or La. Hwy. 1 near White Castle. Rates: $135 to $250 per night. Phone: (225) 545-2730. Website: www.nottoway.com.

NOTTOWAY PLANTATION GIFT SHOP

Tourists come to see magnificent Nottoway Plantation, but locals know that Nottoway’s gift shop is a treasure in itself. It features authentic Louisiana products, including books, linens, prints, food items, art, crafts, postcards and more.