Vacherie

In the heart of Creole Louisiana lies a small French speaking community called Vacherie. It is home to historic plantation sites where sugar, cotton, soybeans, rice and tobacco were once produced. Some fruits and vegetables are still farmed here. The name itself refers to "the cow pasture", an area of high ground on the west bank of the Mississippi River once known for cattle farming. Bound on the south by rich swamps, wild game and seafood are plentiful and contribute to the reputation of the region for delicious recipes handed down from the downriver Germans and the upriver Acadians. These cultures blended to contribute a lasting influence on Louisiana's unique history.

photo: Clarence John Laughlin