Arnaudville, LA
Located at the junction of Bayous Teche and Fuselier and has become a haven for artists, musicians, dancers, writers, culinary experts and champions of the French language
Arnaudville has 8 highways that lead to and from. It sits on the Bayou Teche and is the headwaters of the Bayou Vermilion (Bayou Fuselier). However; if you are here then you are on a mission, Arnaudville is 20 minutes from a major interstate. About 40% of the population speaks French. The town is known for its art and music culture. It is the midpoint of the Corridor des Arts (second Saturday of the month). It is home to the Étouffée Festival (last weekend in April... same weekend as Festival International de Louisiane). Also be sure to visit Tom’s Fiddle & Bow on the Bayou Fuselier and the new NUNU’s Arts & Culture Collective which is in an old lumber yard. Today this art gallery hosts the road race for the La Vuelta D’Acadian (the only competitive cycling event in Acadiana). Arnaudville is also host to Le Feu et l’Eau (Fire and Water) Festival taking place the evening of April 22nd. You should stop by and check it out the beginning festivities. Across the street from NUNU’s there is a planned camping grounds for cyclist and soon there will also be a kayak launch built on the bayou.
Bayou Teche Brewery (1106 Bushville Hwy, Arnaudville, LA) The artwork on their labels is interesting and their biere est spectaculaire, just ask the Virgin Mary. The grounds of the brewery have a bed and breakfast, crawfish pond and will soon have a kayak dock. On Saturdays enjoy a free concert on their patio with plenty of beer and food. Free tours are offered in English and en français. On the first Saturday of November enjoy the Bayou Teche Brewing Bike Bash with bicycle rides for all types of riders. Distances range from 9 miles to 100 miles.
Tom's Fiddle & Bow (204 Fuselier St., Arnaudville, LA phone: 337-754-5528) Every first Sunday is the free JAMbalaya Acoustic Music Jam from 1:00 until 4:00. On the first Sunday head to Arnaudville for a bike ride, grab some lunch then head over to Tom's for a Jam in this little old house sitting on the banks of Bayou Fuselier. Tom specializes in repairs, restorations, sales and rentals of violins, violas, cellos, bows & accessories.
NUNU Art & Cultural Collective (1510 Bayou Courtableau Hwy. Arnaudville, LA) is dedicated to providing a stage / platform / gallery for creative living by facilitating community, economic, and artistic / cultural development.
Located in the former Singleton Lumber Store, just east of Arnaudville, NUNU Arts and Culture Collective is a non-profit arts and cultural incubator where locals gather weekly for events among the works of professional and emerging artists. At its heart, are membership driven projects directed at improving quality of life and cultural sustainability: Les Coudres Points quilting/needlework circle, Les Gaulois Village immersion, Potluck social dinner and dance, Conscious Living Circle drumming, NUNU you classes, the Tiny House Artist-in- Residence Project, Sur les Deux Bayous cultural immersion programs, L’Hermione restoration and education project, adult and youth French tables and annual Semaine de la Francophonie Rural Creative Placemaking Summit (April 17-21) and concluding Le Feu et l’Eau Rural Arts Celebration (April 21-23), Conscious Living Expo (Nov. 11) and The Al Berard Music Festival (Dec. 2).
By utilizing Creative Placemaking practices of cooperation and team-building, and through the leveraging of local, regional and international partnerships, the NUNU collective has positioned itself as a leading advocate of authentic French Louisiana culture. The NUNU collective is a 2015 INNOV8 Acadiana entrepreneurial recipient, a 2014 Louisiana Cultural Economy Hero, a 2012 AARP Great Places in Louisiana and 2012 Louisiana Culture Connection honoree for national recognition as a participant in the prestigious Mayor’s Institute on City Design, “Creative Placemaking White Paper” study.
EAT & DRINK:
Russell’s Food Center, Feeding Arnaudville since 1935 (14 Main Street, Arnaudville LA) Russell's provides plate lunches to go, boudin and much more. They have an outstanding catering services and was voted best meals by Cycle Zydeco riders in 2013 when they provided a catered lunch. Open daily form 7am -8pm.
Myran’s Maison de Manger
Dodge's Fire House
The Little Big Cup
Champagne’s Marche (Leonville-Long Route)
Silver Slipper (Leonville-Long Route)
Point of Interest: South of Arnaudville on Hwy 31 is the tree that reaches into the ground, but only appears to be finger deep. The soil eroded away from the root structure immediately below the trunk. The tree appears to be hanging on by it nails.
FESTIVALS:
Étouffée Festival (last weekend in April, same as Festival International)
Bayou Teche Brewing Bike Bash (first Saturday in November): This is a TRAIL produced cycling event. This ride starts and finishes at the Bayou Teche Brewery with live music, food and drinks at the end. Then Sunday head to Abbeville for bike ride at the Giant Omelette Celebration.
La Vuelta d'Acadian road race. This is the second and final day of the La Vuelta d'Acadian which is the only competitive road race in Acadiana and is put on by Acadiana Bicycle Company Race Team (CC Racing). Visit www.lambra.org for more information.
EVENTS at NUNU collective:
-Semaine de la Francophonie Creative Placemaking Summit (April 17-21) gathers creative professionals in environmental sustainability, economic & social development, government, education andfolk life traditions for presentations and discussions on creative placemaking. Through a series of mini-conferences, you, with these professionals, collectively explore how to measure, evaluate and communicate the impact of using arts and culture to build and transform a community. $10 per day cost.
-Le Feu et l’Eau Rural Arts Celebration, Friday-Sunday preceding Festival International de Louisiane. (April 21-23, 2017) Le Feu et l’Eauconcludes and follows Semaine de la Francophonie Creative Placemaking Summit. Features arts and crafts demonstrations and workshops, cultural exchange opportunties, music and performance arts.
-The Conscious Living Expo, second Saturday, (Nov. 11, 2017) presents the healing arts, healthy foods and a focus on nature through various activities that explore new ways of connecting with yourself, others and nature. A daylong event that includes demonstrations on healthy foods, environmental sustainability and healing modalities; and participatory and experiential sessions such as drum circles, creative movement, qi gong and yoga. A project of partner organization Village des Arts et Eco Parc.
-The Al Berard Music Festival, first Saturday (Dec. 2, 2017) celebrates the life and music of Cajun musician Al Berard. A full day of music provided by area's top Cajun and Creole musicians, also know as friends and family. Not to be missed.
LODGING:
B&B at Bayou Teche Brewery
Maison des Artistes
The Shiny Tiny
Cajun Creole Cottage on Bayou Teche
Tranquil Lake Sanctuary Camp
The Sunflower Cottage
Frozard Plantation Cottage
Cajun Cabin Guest Cottage