Laura Plantation: Creole Family Stories & Slave Cabins Tour

Summary

Creole family life and history at Laura Plantation with stories from the past

You’ll walk through Laura Plantation’s colorful main house and gardens with a local guide who shares real Creole family stories — both joyful and hard to hear. Explore original 1840s slave cabins where Louisiana folklore was born, and feel history come alive in small moments you didn’t expect.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed at Laura Plantation was the color — that yellow house against the green sugarcane, almost too bright for the cloudy Louisiana sky. Our guide, Simone, started us off on the porch, telling stories in this gentle accent I couldn’t quite place (she said her grandmother spoke French at home). She pointed to the live oaks and explained how four generations of the same Creole family lived here — not just owners, but everyone, free and enslaved. I kept thinking how close together all their lives must have been. The air smelled faintly sweet, like molasses left out in the heat.

We walked through rooms filled with old portraits and creaky floorboards — it’s strange to stand where people argued or laughed two centuries ago. Simone shared pieces from handwritten memoirs; she read a line about a little girl sneaking sugar from the kitchen and smiled like she knew her. Then we stepped outside into sticky air (bring water if you come in summer), and she led us toward the original slave cabins from the 1840s. That part hit harder than I expected. She talked about Compair Lapin stories being told right here — I’d only heard them as Br’er Rabbit growing up, never realized they were recorded in Louisiana Creole first.

There’s something about hearing these histories while touching rough wood doorframes or standing under trees older than anyone alive. A few folks in our group got quiet walking through those cabins; I did too. It felt honest — not easy, but necessary. I still think about one story Simone told, about a woman who gardened every morning before sunrise because that was her only time alone. You don’t forget details like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided tour of Laura Plantation

• Join guided tour in English or French
• Visit Maison Principale house
• Explore plantation gardens
• See original 1840s slave cabins
• Hear stories of Creole family

Top questions

How long is the Laura Plantation guided tour?

The guided tour typically lasts around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Are tours available in French at Laura Plantation?

Yes, daily tours are offered in both English and French.

Is Laura Plantation wheelchair accessible?

Only the ground floor of the main house is ADA accessible; some outdoor areas may be uneven.

What will I see on the Laura Plantation tour?

You’ll visit the Maison Principale (main house), gardens, and original 1840s slave cabins.

Is lunch included on this tour?

No, lunch is not included with this tour.

Can infants or small children join the tour?

Yes, infants can ride in a pram or stroller or sit on an adult’s lap during the tour.

Does this day trip operate in bad weather?

The tour operates rain or shine; dress appropriately for outdoor portions.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided walking tour of Laura Plantation with access to the colorful main house, lush gardens, and original 1840s slave cabins — all led by a knowledgeable local guide sharing personal stories throughout your visit.