Welcome to historic colonial Louisiana, in the heart of old Washington, the third oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase territory, and founded in 1720!
Courtableau House Plantation Guesthouse & Creole Tea Parlor is both the private home of Creole Gourmet/Educator/Author and Int.'l tour guide/interpreter, John la Fleur II, and a 2 room plantation guesthouse/B&B.
The house is a Creole cottage and "grew" over time with additions and a center hall being added to the original structure. This same architectural pattern is designated "Creole" in both Mississippi and Alabama, since earliest times, but in southwest Louisiana's "Cajun" country, it is referred to as "Acadian" which is a sub-species of Louisiana Creole architectural style which largely derived from the Caribbean world; no such architecture was known in Acadian Canada.
The house exhibits numerous Creole architectural characteristics such as French doors on the inside and out, a separate dining hall and kitchen, an elegant mantle, beamed ceilings in indigo wash and indoor staircasing. The elegant inner staircase of present times is a good restoration by John la Fleur. The front gallery staircase was added by Mr. la FLeur himself, to effect the Acadian tradition, but it is not inappropriate in both design and period architectural tradition although this house never had an "acadian" gallery staircase. Such outdoor gallery staircases long antedate the arrival of the Acadians having their origin in the West Indies and brought to Louisiana by the early Creoles. They are still to be seen in some of the earliest Creole plantations at the ground level.
An artist, John la Fleur II is the 7th generation of his family of Louisiana French-Indian Creoles to live in this area of St.Landry Parish. An educator, author, and Creole/Cajun gourmet, he is the Concierge of the 2 suite, w/ private baths, guesthouse. John opens his gardens to Spring and Autumnal tours by appointment only.
Garden guide and expert, Mark Gillis, leads tours and provides a wealth of information to those who love gardening. He is the weekend/Sunday host of Courtableau House.
The guesthouse is beautifully restored and decorated, and quite authentic. Lovely, enclosed gardens, in the middle of which is an elegant circular pond surrounded by wrought iron chairs and little tables, provide a summer spot for guests to enjoy cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, outdoors if preferred.
The beautiful front gallery, outfitted with rocking chairs and little tables sits high on the "mound" on which generations of French & English speaking families once watched the steamboats coming up Bayou Courtableau.
story and garden tour with Creole Gourmet Lunch by reservations only are offered on Sunday AM by limit party of 12 adults per visit. Donation: $35.00. Call in your reservation today at 337 418 1506 and start living!
-House & Garden tour only, donation $10.00 w/tea/coffee
Children, if supervised vigilantly, may be allowed.
Refreshments are served in the garden, with tea in the parlor or painted dining hall.
HIGH TEA ANYONE? CALL US FOR 2 WK ADVANCE RESERVATIONS TO PLAN A HOLIDAY WITH A FRIEND OR LOVED ONE!!!
SEE, HOUSE TOURS BY APPT. ONLY SECTION FOR PRICES AND TERMS
Please phone your inquiries to 337 418 1506, or email us at: CREOLEBOOKSTORE@GMAIL.COM
Courtableau House Plantation Hours:
(Must have 2 wk advance reservations!!! -absolutely no walk-ins!)
SPRING, APRIL 2011-SUMMER
FALL, September-November 15
Closed during WINTER
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS & SUNDAYS -only
CHECK-IN 4:00PM CHECK-OUT 12:00 NOON, NO SMOKING, NO CHILDREN OR PETS.
RATES: $175.00/NIGHT PER ROOM. We have two private suites each equipped with private bathroom facilities (No showers) Both are joined by a private sitting room with private entrance/exit w direct access to front gallery.
See button on left side screen, A PEEK INSIDE to view our 2 private suites w private baths and connecting sitting room!
Price includes check-in Cocktails, Creole gourmet breakfast, and dinner option on Friday or Saturday PM, per couple. Without lunch or dinner option, the flat rate room cost is, $125.00 per couple
MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Visa, Mastercard, Discover PH. 337 418 1506 PLEASE CALL US UPON ARRIVAL AT ENTRANCE GATE FOR ENTRY!!!
See our GUEST COMMENTS PAGE FOR MORE INFO!
ABOUT OUR GUESTHOUSE CULTURAL HISTORY AND COOKING BOOK,
A CULTURAL LEGACY CREOLE GOURMET SECRETS OF LOUISIANA
ATTENTION: 3RD PRINTING OF COMMEMORATIVE EDITION W/ AUTOGRAPH & fleur de lis NOW AVAILABLE.
SEE, CREOLEBOOKSTORE BUTTON ABOVE TO ORDER....A CULTURAL LEGACY, CREOLE GOURMET SECRETS OF LOUISIANA, 2010
NEED A CAR? See erentals.co.uk
Bienvenu chez nous! Oui, ici on aime toujours parler en francais! Welcom to our house! Yes, we still enjoy speaking French here!
L'HISTOIRE DE LA PLANTATION JEAN-BATISTE ANDRÉ dit la FLEUR et DE CREOLES LOUISIANAIS