What is Natchitoches like?

It’s a college town year round! It’s one of the most beautiful and historic locations in the United States. It’s packed with festivals, weekend activities and some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet!  At least five movies, including the star-studded 1989 hit “Steel Magnolias,” have been filmed here and other projects are in development. In fact, some of the stars come back to visit ? and a couple even have bought homes here!

Experience the charm of the original French colony in Louisiana, established 1714. Discover our Landmark Historic District with shopping, dining, and attractions plus historic fort sites, museums, and year around cultural events and festivals.

Natchitoches is also recognized as the Bed & Breakfast Capital of Louisiana and home to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park at Oakland & Magnolia Plantations. The National Trust named our town one of the 2005 "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" for Historic Preservation.

For more information, visit natchitoches.net.

Also, for a great summary of our attractions and features, click here. 

Natchitoches is also known as “The City of Lights” because it hosts the famous Natchitoches Christmas Festival of

Lights each holiday season since 1927. Nearly half a million people visit Natchitoches from the week before Thanksgiving until after New Year’s Day, enjoying miles of stunning lights displays, fireworks every Saturday night and at midnight on New Year’s Eve, an array of entertainment and the charm of the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.

For more information, visit Natchitoches Christmas Festival.

 

 

On the first weekend each April, the downtown area comes alive for the Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, recently named one of the Top 10 events in this region on a list topped by the New Orleans Jazz Fest. The music mix goes far beyond Jazz and R&B, with artists appealing to everybody’s liking, bringing two days of festivities to the downtown area.

 

Get the latest details at natchjazzfest.com.

 

 

Tourism is a huge part of the identity of Natchitoches. There is a long list of reasons to visit ? the beauty and history of the city and area rank high among them.

Natchitoches, the original French Colony in Louisiana, retains its European flavor through its architecture, heritage and lifestyle. At the heart of the National Historic Landmark District lies Front Street, a brick thoroughfare where wrought iron balconies, restaurants and shops face the beautiful Cane River Lake. The City of Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, making it the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory. The French settlement had two purposes; to establish trade with the Spanish in Texas, and at the same time, to deter Spanish advances into Louisiana. Natchitoches soon became a flourishing river port and crossroads, giving rise to vast cotton kingdoms along the river. Planters built magnificent plantations down river and built fine homes in town for social events.

The City’s Historic Landmark District, which fronts Cane River Lake and encompasses a 33-block area, includes many historic homes, churches and commercial structures. A mixture of Queen Anne and Victorian architecture, along with Creole style cottages can be seen throughout the district.

For details, visit historicnatchitoches.com. 

 

 

The local business community works arm in arm with Northwestern State Athletics and the entire university to continually promote development of activities and business locally. The Natchitoches Area Chamber of Commerce has more than 400 members, mostly business people, who are a big part of  the heartbeat of Natchitoches.

 

For information on the Chamber of Commerce, click here. 

 

 

Natchitoches is growing its business community with a vibrant local economy and a local governmental structure that aggressively recruits new industry to the local community. For information on the business community and economic development, click here.