Europe in America: Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

French Culture & Heritage on the Mississippi River

Located about an hour south of St. Louis, the French Colonial village of Ste. Genevieve is Missouri’s oldest town. Founded by French Canadian colonists in 1735, the town is home to some of the best-preserved examples of French Creole colonial architecture in the world. Tours are available of many of the nationally recognized historic homes. After exploring the quaint shops, museums, and dining in the historic district, head out for some outdoor recreation or wine tasting in the countryside.

Did You Know? The most distinctive architecture used in Ste. Genevieve is called “poteaux-en-terre” (post in earth), in which the walls are made of upright wooden posts. The town is home to three of the five surviving poteaux-en-terre houses in the nation.

Events & Festivals

Throughout the year Ste. Genevieve hosts a variety of events celebrating their unique French heritage, rural roots, and artistic community. The Ste. Genevieve Kings Ball, held in February, is an early French settler tradition that dates back 250 years. Attendees dress in French colonial attire and participate in traditional music and dance. In June, the French Heritage Festival celebrates the area’s French culture and traditions with living history, live traditional music, folk dancing, French foods, historic home tours, and a street dance.

Courtesy of Ste. Genevieve Tourism

Museums & Attractions

Start your visit at the Ste. Genevieve Welcome Center to get an introduction to all the town has to offer and purchase a Historic Tour Passport to save money on admission to many of the historic sites.

– The Guibourd-Valle House showcases the area’s heritage with a costumed docent-guided tour and is the only house in town where you can get an up-close view of the architectural elements, including an optional visit to the attic. 

– Felix Vallé State Historic Site, managed by Missouri State Parks, allows visitors to step back in time in the American-Federal style Valle house. The house was built in 1818 and today is furnished in the style of the 1830s. Tickets also include admission to the Amoureaux House and the Dr. Benjamin Shaw House.

– Make sure to visit The Centre for French Colonial Life, a museum that tells the story of early French settlement in the upper Mississippi Valley and the development of the unique French Creole culture in the region. Afterwards, tour The Louis Bolduc House, considered the “crown jewel” of the museum’s campus and a designated National Historic Landmark.

Outdoor Recreation

– Hawn State Park, just 25 minutes west of Ste. Genevieve, is a nearly 5,000-acre park featuring some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Missouri. One of the most popular activities is hiking the many trails, ranging from 2 to 10 miles.

– Pickle Springs Natural Area has been designated a Natural Landmark by the National Park Service for its biological and geological values as an undisturbed site. A two-mile trail named the ‘Trail Through Time’ winds through the park and guides you through 500-million-year-old sandstone rock formations.

– The Magnolia Hollow Conservation Area is bordered by Establishment Creek, Schmidt’s Island, and the Mississippi River. This recreation and outdoor lover’s paradise has steep bluffs and scenic river views. It also features a skeet shooting and archery range, picnic area, and hiking trails.

Brew, Distill & Ferment

Ste. Genevieve has a long history of winemaking beginning with its French settlers in the early 1700s. Today, many of their descendants continue the tradition and operate local wineries. The Route du Vin (wine trail) travels through the rolling farmland and Missouri wineries of Ste. Genevieve County. There are 6 official wineries on the trail and over a dozen in the general area- most are small family-owned businesses. At the Cave Vineyard Winery, you can enjoy a picnic lunch in the cave located underneath the tasting room! The largest winery in the area is the Crown Valley Winery, with two locations— a winery and a brewery. Both locations have an on-site casual restaurant, making them a good lunchtime stop.