Laura Plantation, located along the Mississippi River in Vacherie, Louisiana, is a historically rich site focused on Creole culture and the realities of plantation life. Founded in 1805, it was originally known as l’Habitation Duparc and later named ... read moreafter Laura Locoul Gore, a descendant whose detailed memoir helped preserve the estate’s history. The plantation includes twelve original structures, many listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the main house, slave cabins, and various outbuildings.

Guided tours bring visitors through four generations of the Duparc-Locoul family, offering insight into the lives of both the family and the enslaved individuals who lived and worked there. The tour includes access to the “Big House,” its men’s and women’s parlors, service areas, and gardens such as the French Jardin and Banana Grove. A significant part of the experience focuses on the 1840s slave cabins, where West African folktales were preserved, including early versions of the Br’er Rabbit stories.

Tours are conducted daily and typically last about 75 minutes. They are offered in English and French, with no self-guided options available. The experience involves moderate walking, and guests are encouraged to arrive early. The plantation also features a permanent exhibit, “From the Big House to the Quarters,” which examines the complex social and labor dynamics of life on the plantation, especially for the enslaved community.