Natchitoches Attractions

The Bayou Pierre Alligator Park in Natchitoches shows visitors hundreds of alligators, from young 4-footers to the 1,000-pounders, all immersed in their natural environment.

The Beau Fort Plantation Home in Natchitoches is a 1790 Creole Style home that features French Creole furnishings, family portraits, Victorian fan vases and Limoges china.

Natchitoches was founded by a French Canadian, Louis Antoine Juchereau de St Denis, in 1714. He built two huts in the village and left a small detachment to guard the stores and trade with the inhabitants. This became the first permanent European settlement in the territory later known as the Louisiana Purchase.

The present Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Natchitoches was started in the 1850's and was completed in the 1890's. All the fittings and furnishings in the church were imported from France, except for the pews and the stained-glass windows.

The Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery is a warm-water station that spawns, hatches, and rears young fish for stocking intercoastal and inland waters.

Trinity Parish Church was the first non-catholic church in Natchitoches. The tower bell is said to be one-third silver.