There’s really nothing as idyllic and charming as a small, rural town. Luckily for us, Louisiana has quite a few. From Christmas tree farms to the crawfish industry, these 10 rural Louisiana towns rely on the land. They may be small, but they’re downright delightful. Take a look at these 10 delightful towns and make plans to visit some of them soon.

1. Ponchatoula
Ponchatoula, LA, USA
Jen Dubin/flickr
The tight-knit little community of Ponchatoula enjoys a quaint Main Street with plenty of local businesses. The one crop in this part of rural Louisiana? Strawberries! The town holds a huge strawberry festival every year that's as sweet as you can imagine.
2. DeRidder
DeRidder, LA 70634, USA
Author unknown/Wikimedia
The nearly 10,000 residents of DeRidder make this little town a bit bigger than some of the others on our list, but it still has that small-town feeling. It also has a long-standing lumber history. When you visit this rural area in Louisiana be sure to stop by the Gothic Jail, a hauntingly beautiful building with a paranormal past.
3. Lutcher
Lutcher, LA, USA
Zach/flickr
The small, rural town of Lutcher only has around 3,300 residents, but many more flock to this little town at Christmastime, when the town hosts the annual festival of the bonfires. It's a fitting festival since the town was founded with a sawmill.
4. St. Francisville
Saint Francisville, St Francisville, LA 70775, USA
St. Francis Christmas Trees/flickr
When it comes to rural areas in Louisiana, St. Francisville is at the top of the list. The 1,700 people who call St. Francisville home live only about 40 minutes from Baton Rouge, but it seems like worlds away. The Christmas tree farm is just one example of the rural quality here.
5. Breaux Bridge
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517, USA
Ken Lund/Wikimedia
Breaux Bridge bills itself as the "Crawfish Capital of the World," and we agree. The crawfish industry is strong in this little town of around 8,000 people. Its little Main Street is adorable, a great place to score some antiques, and bustling with locals.

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6. St. Martinville
Saint Martinville, St Martinville, LA 70582, USA
Ken Lund/Wikimedia
This little rural Louisiana town is said to be the home of cajun culture, and many folks here still speak Creole French. The town focuses on sugar cane and crawfish - two things Louisiana couldn't do without!
7. Labadieville
Labadieville, LA, USA
Fred Guillory/flickr
The tiny town of Labadieville has less than 2,000 residents and is known for its historic St. Philomena Catholic Church.
8. Eunice
Eunice, LA 70535, USA
Eunice LA
This town is well-known for its Cajun music, and its Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The main street here is absolutely charming. If you get the opportunity to experience a Cajun Mardi Gras here, do it.
9. Natchitoches
Natchitoches, LA, USA
Billy Hathorn/Wikimedia
Remember the enchanting movie 'Steel Magnolias?' It was set in Natchitoches, which is still just as charming as ever.
10. Donaldsonville
Donaldsonville, LA 70346, USA
Beth Cortez-Neavel/flickr
Donaldsonville is located near Baton Rouge, and much of the town is on the National Historic Register. Visit the Palo Alto Plantation to get a feel for the history of this place.

It’s impossible to include every adorable, rural town in Louisiana! Which small towns would you add? These small towns in Louisiana are serving up some of the best food you’ve ever tasted.

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Rural Louisiana

Jackie Ann | September 12, 2022

What are the best things about living in Louisiana?

Living in Louisiana comes with many perks. For starters, our food is incredible. Cajun and Creole cuisine is very much woven into Louisiana’s culture, so much so that you won’t be able to escape it (and that’s a good thing). Louisianians are also privy to some of the most incredible natural scenery in the country. Our mesmerizing waterways include bayous, swamps, marshes, and rivers that weave throughout the state, not only providing a habitat for wildlife to thrive, but it’s also a major export for Louisiana. Nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy a tour through the Atchafalaya River Basin, the largest swamp in the nation, while others may prefer to hit the hiking trails around the Kisatchie National Forest. If you’re a nature lover or a foodie, Louisiana is the place for you. 

What is the most beautiful small town in Louisiana?

There are so many small towns in Louisiana, each one with its own unique charm and allure. These rural areas in Louisiana are so often the heartbeat of the state, and that can certainly be said when it comes to Grand Isle. While Louisiana’s only inhabited barrier island has taken many hits from hurricanes over the years, it remains one of the most beautiful little towns in the state. Not only is it one of the top fishing destinations in the entire world, but the beaches overlooking the Gulf of Mexico provide a lovely spot to sink your toes in the sand and enjoy a beach day. 

What is the oldest town in Louisiana?

While many believe that New Orleans is the oldest city, it’s actually Natchitoches. Natchitoches was established in 1714 and incorporated in 1819, making it the oldest permanent settlement in Louisiana. The town’s 33-block Historic District is a beautiful area to spend the day exploring, and the town turns into an incredible winter wonderland during the holidays, with a holiday lights show that’s been called one of the best in the country. 

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