Louisiana’s River Parishes created the River Reel Series to showcase the unique culture found in the River Parishes.

Located about an hour outside of the city of New Orleans, Lac Des Allemands and Bayou Des Allemands are home to some of the best catfish and crabs in South Louisiana. Des Allemandes” (al-uh-mandz) translates in French to mean “the Germans”, it was one of the original German settlements established in 1721.

A harmonious balance has been created between the swamp eco-system, wildlife, and locals who call the River Parishes home. Cajuns, Creoles, and Native Americans have respected and protected these lands for centuries, and they have continued to remain a cornerstone of our culture. Out here you will see alligators sunbathing and egrets perched on logs as you kayak or canoe Manchac Swamp. Guided swamp tours are led by ambassadors of our land and the lakes and marshes provide you with a fully immersive and eco-educational experience.

One of the oldest holiday traditions in the U.S. takes place in the River Parishes. Every Christmas Eve, 100’s of wooden bonfires line the Mississippi River levees in St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes. Thousands of visitors gather as the bonfires are ignited simultaneously to welcome the arrival of “Papa Noel”, known as Santa Claus everywhere else.

Located about an hour outside of the city of New Orleans, Lac Des Allemands and Bayou Des Allemands are home to some of the best catfish and crabs in South Louisiana. Des Allemandes” (al-uh-mandz) translates in French to mean “the Germans”, it was one of the original German settlements established in 1721.

Pure cane sugar is something that many people enjoy, but few people know its origins in the United States and the hardworking farmers who produce it. Join us on a journey through history as we learn how sugarcane came to Louisiana, how enslaved people suffered to produce sugar on plantations, how the sugar industry suffered after the civil war, and finally meeting some of the hardworking individuals who farm sugarcane today.

Religion impacted the lives of African Americans during segregation. Built in 1936, our Lady of Grace Church, now located at Historic Riverlands Christian Center in Reserve, LA, exhibits what life was like for black people living under Jim Crow laws and emphasizes different music genres created by African American musicians throughout history in its Soul River Musical Journey tour.

Folklore abounds out here in Louisiana’s River Parishes. Among the many stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, one stands out- the legend of the Cajun werewolf called the rougarou. This legend is rooted in France, but evolved with influences from Native American culture and the Louisiana swamps. The rougarou is said to inhabit many of the swamps in South Louisiana. In the River Parishes, bayous and swamps run throughout our area. Visitors can take a ride on an airboat, pontoon boat, or kayak with one of our experienced captains who can tell stories of their close encounters with the rougarou.

Andouille (an·dou·ille | \än-ˈdü-ē) was born here in the River Parishes as French and German culinary heritages combined. When you taste our andouille, you are tasting our culinary heritage. Be careful to not call it sausage – because of the coarseness of the ground pork, it’s not considered sausage by locals, it’s simply andouille. Out here, andouille makers put their own unique stamp on seasonings, mixing them with the meat, then smoking it using a variety of woods such as pecan, oak, or the pit master’s secret combination. This ensures the finished product is as distinct as the small-town smokehouse in which it is made. Sliced andouille is a key ingredient in traditional Cajun/Creole dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya. Ever versatile, you’ll find it on everything from sandwiches to pizza. Every October since 1972, the importance of andouille to our region has been celebrated at the annual Andouille Festival in LaPlace.