Every small town in Missouri beckons visitors for its unique personality. Hannibal draws fans of Mark Twain and his famous characters Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Wine connoisseurs flock to Hermann for its famous wine trail. And history buffs? Well, there’s no better destination than Ste. Genevieve, the oldest town in Missouri.

The historic small town of Ste. Genevieve, with a population of just over 4,500, began its story in 1735 when it was settled by a group of French Canadians.
Flickr/Paul Sabelman
A trip to this charming Missouri town offers a fascinating glimpse into its rich history. Did you know, for example, that the town was named after a French saint? Sainte Genevieve was the patron saint of Paris.
Flickr/K. Shulyer
If you love history, you’ll have no shortage of historic sites to visit during your time in Ste. Genevieve. The town’s historic district, in fact, is a National Historic Landmark District.
Wikipedia/Andrew Balet
One of the oldest roads in Missouri, Three Notch Road, begins in Ste. Genevieve.
Before you start exploring, consider stopping by the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center, where you can watch a brief video that provides an overview of the town’s history.
Google/Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center
Grab a map and a list of the historical landmarks in town.

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Start your journey back through time with a visit to one of the town’s historic homes. The Beauvais-Amoureux Historic House, for example, dates back to 1792.
Google/Bryce Garner
Please note that the home, as of October 2022, is temporarily closed for roofing repairs.
Explore the town’s oldest vertical log cabin, too. The Green Tree Tavern boasts its own rich history, serving as an inn and a tavern, among other things, over the decades.
Wikipedia/Hog Farm
Join a guided tour of the historic landmark. Tickets are free.
Don’t forget to carve out time to visit one of the town’s numerous museums, too. The Centre for French Colonial Life, the Ste. Genevieve Art Center & Museum, and the Guibourd-Valle House all offer a fascinating look at the town’s rich history.
Google/Jacques Goulet
Keep an eye out, too, for such annual festivals as the French Heritage Festival and Rural Heritage Day. You might want to time your visit to coincide with one of the town celebrations.
Facebook/Visit SteGen
Learn more on the Visit Ste. Genevieve website. Or, stop by its Facebook page.
Facebook/Visit Ste. Genevieve

Have you been to the oldest town in Missouri? Did you visit its historic landmarks? Let us know in the comments! Then take a peek at the 16 things you might not know about Missouri’s history.

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Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670, USA