Ste. Genevieve tourism built on French heritage

Nestled along the Mississippi River, Ste. Genevieve draws thousands of visitors interested in the community's French heritage.

Ste. Genevieve proudly boasts that it has the greatest concentration of French Colonial architecture in North America, and is hoping that the National Park Service will award it a national historic site designation.

The city's leaders have talked with Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., asking for his support of a bill that authorize a feasibility study for the parks service to determine if the vertical log structures are worthy of a national designation.

The area being proposed for the site includes the Bauvais-Amoureux House, which is already operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as a historic site, the Creole House and the Bequette-Ribault House, which is privately owned.

Many of the homes in Ste. Genevieve built in the 1740s already are part of a historic landmark district. The homes are built in a French Colonial style, not found in many other communities.

Ste. Genevieve builds on its French heritage by inviting tourists to visit the only surviving French colonial village in the United States.

"Any of the events the city holds is unique because of our historic grounds," said Pam Meyer, Ste. Genevieve city clerk.

The Jour de Fete has put Ste. Genevieve on tourist maps as it draws over 40,000 people each year for an August weekend full of what the name means -- "days of celebration."

This year the 39th annual Jour de Fete will be held Aug. 13 to 14, 2005, transforming Ste .Genevieve into one of the largest craft fairs in Missouri. Musicians roam the streets, militia perform throughout the day, and singers serenade in both French and German.

As tourists browse through the artisans' handiwork they soak in the town's historical roots. Craft vendors and town workers dress for the occasion in traditional French costumes and specialty foods are found in front of the city's unique shops and historical buildings.

The only thing visitors need to worry about is making reservations well in advance -- hotels typically are booked a year in advance.

Visitors can find several quaint bed and breakfasts in the heart of the city if they're looking for an authentic French village experience.

The Southern Hotel, built in 1790, has housed guests since 1805. This year marks the building's 200th anniversary as an operating hotel. The rooms contain Victorian antiques but modern amenities like private baths, water, and air-conditioning are available.

"B&B's are a different experience, a more personal experience," said innkeeper Mike Hankins. "We serve them a glass of wine in the evening, they get conversation and find out about the town. People don't get up at 6 in the morning at your average hotel to go explore a town."

A look down Third Street in Ste. Genevieve

But that is exactly what visitors do in Ste. Genevieve. They walk the small town's streets to soak in the ambiance and tour many of the old homes.

"You feel like you've stepped back in time because you step on their floors where they lived," tourist manager Carol Wibbenmeyer said of the colonial town' first residents.

The homes are open April through November. June 4 and 5 is the annual House and Garden Tour weekend and a prime time to visit as the gardens are in full bloom.

The gardens which surround many of the homes are filled with herbs and fruits traditionally raised in colonial days. Lavender and rose geranium can even be purchased as souvenirs. While some of the gardens, such as La Maison de Guibourd-Valle, are tended by master gardeners, the rest are maintained by individuals with a natural knack for growing beautiful flowers.

A Christmas Walk on Dec. 3 and 4, offers visitors a chance to see the town celebrate Christmas in typical French style. The weekend events kick off with a parade, complete with French singers, a tree-lighting ceremony and even visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

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Upcoming events in 2005

June 4-5 - House and Garden Tour

June 10-11 - French Festival

July 4 - Community Celebration

July 8-10 - Ste. Genevieve County Fair

Aug. 13-14 - Jour de Fete

Oct. 8-9 - Autumn Daze

October 9-10 - Annual Art Walk

Dec. 3-4 - Christmas Walk

Dec. 11 - French Christmas

For more information, contact the Tourist Information Office at (800) 373-7007.