Louisiana
Lafayette
"Cajun Country," also called Acadiana, consists of 22 parishes in southern Louisiana. Lafayette, the heart of Acadiana, is a city of 110,500 or so that often surprises outsiders with its metropolitan atmosphere. Some arrive expecting to find swamps and pirogues and alligators. They will, within fairly close proximity of Lafayette, but Lafayette proper has a flair and sophistication all its own. There’s an abundance of world-class restaurants, smart shopping, savvy people, lovely homes, a university, and local residents who care enough to participate in the community. A previous article in a regional publication said: “In Lafayette the seafood is fresher, the sauces spicer, the music livelier and the heritage richer.”
Luckily, the fascinating French culture is still alive and well in laid-back Lafayette. Even the oil-rich economy of a few years back didn’t do much to alter the joie de vivre for which the region is known. Before oil was discovered, agriculture, cattle raising, hunting and trapping were the major sources of income. The history of Lafayette, originally called Vermilionville, is well depicted in two living history museums: Acadian Village and Vermillionville.
Acadian Village is a recreated village of
authentic Acadian houses and life styles of an early settlement, com
plete
with costumed workers. Tours are conducted in English and French in this folk
life museum of Acadian culture and heritage. Another look at Cajun/Creole
heritage and folklife is Vermilionville, situated on 22 acres. This living
history village recreates life on the bayou from 1765 to 1890. Costumed
craftspeople demonstrate Cajun and zydeco music, cooking, crafts and more.
There’s also a nature trail, restaurant and gift shop. Both educational
attractions serve as monuments to proud people, the Cajuns and the Creoles.
Food and music are what brings people to Lafayette and the surrounding communities, and sometimes both are available at one location. Zydeco is a revved-up version of Cajun music and has more black band members than white, whereas Cajun is primarily white and the lyrics are French. Don’t miss the music of this region, for it is unique and wonderful. My personal favorite place to hear the music and savor the food is a superb restaurant in an old brick general store in Breaux Bridge — the Crawfish Capital of the world — about six miles from Lafayette. It is the Café des Amis, where sumptuous Saturday brunch is generally served to the music of a zydeco band.
