From its 1700s architecture and ambiance to its rich, multi-cultural history, Ste. Genevieve, MO is a town filled with living history. Read on for what to see and do when you visit Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.
French Creole and Spanish influences still infuse the city of Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, with plenty of historic charm. Approximately an hour from bustling St. Louis, Sainte Genevieve provides a living history lesson that might surprise many visitors.
Sainte Genevieve is Where French Creoles Settled
The state’s oldest historic town, Sainte Genevieve, takes its name from Paris’ patroness saint. The name also reflects the lineage of its founders, settlers, and migrants, primarily of French Canadian descent.
The town served as the capital of Spanish Louisiana during the late 18th century. Later on, at the city’s original location, several miles south, the town served as the capital of French Louisiana. Ste. Genevieve moved in 1785 following massive flooding. This area became one of Missouri’s first five counties and home to the state’s oldest cemetery.
Since my visit to historic Ste. Genevieve, the city has been designated Sainte Genevieve National Historical Park. In addition to touring the city, visitors can now view a 10-minute introductory video at the Great River Road Welcome Center. Here maps and a list of local historic buildings open to the public are also available.
With 150 structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Ste. Genevieve still displays many features that resemble a 1700s French Creole settlement. The town is home to this hemisphere’s best example of a French Colonial Arch. But the historic district has a somewhat rustic feel, from its narrow streets and fenced gardens to the roofs supported by massive trusses.
A Multifaceted Historic Site
The first stop on our tour was the Felix Vallé House State Historic Site. We toured the fully restored American Federal-style limestone home of Felix and Odile Pratte Valle, filled with Early Empire furnishings. Felix and Odile were members of one of the city’s premier colonial families.
Inside a small, authentically restocked mercantile, we heard a brief presentation regarding the activities of the trading company Menard and Vallé. Additional structures on the site included the vertical log, the 1792 Amoureux House, and the 1819 (Dr. Benjamin) Shaw House, across the street from the Felix Valle House.
A vintage mercantile operates at Felix Vallé House State Historic Site. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray
Beyond Felix Vallé House
We saw the Guibourd-Vallé House, known for its fine casement windows and traditional Norman truss construction, and the Louis Bolduc House and museum. The latter structure remains the nation’s most authentically restored French colonial house. It is also one of the oldest residential structures in the upper Mississippi Valley.
During the 1950s, a complete restoration returned the home to its original colonial style. We perused several Native American and African exhibits and then toured a period garden filled with herbs, flowers, and vegetables frequently appearing in 18th-century French recipes.
We also admired the exterior of the 1792 Beauvais-Amoureux House home of Jean Baptiste Vallé, who served as the last Spanish commandant in this area (closed at the time of publication due to a roofing project). Its unusual construction of upright logs incorporated into its construction was foundational to the house.
Another building from the late 1700s, the two-story Old Brick House, was the first brick home built west of the Mississippi. Now a cozy buffet-focused restaurant, it serves customers every day except Thursdays.
The first brick home built west of the Mississippi now houses a buffet restaurant. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray
Artful Craftsmanship and Cuisine in Sainte Genevieve
During some brief solo time for exploring, I marveled as modern artisans employed old-school craftsmanship at ASL Pewter and perused their enormous collection of handcrafted items. With painstaking focus, they created lead-free curved tankards, salt cellars, intricately carved napkin rings, and early American candlesticks.
Tools of the trade at ASL Pewter. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray
We enjoyed delicious contemporary cuisine at Audubon’s Hotel and Restaurant that evening. The property’s name honors John James Audubon, who shared a merchandising partnership with Ferdinand Rozler in 1811. Inside the spacious dining room, a large flat metal cut-out of a heron, standing in tall grass, decorates one wall.
Although a white-hot brick pizza oven still produces Build-Your-Own pizzas—as ours did—much of the menu has changed. This shift in cuisine represents an effort to make the restaurant experience more family-friendly. Starters now include Bacon Wrapped Shrimp, Chicken Quesadilla, a handful of hearty sandwiches, and salads and pasta dishes. Guests can order salmon, pork chops, flat iron steaks, or chicken entrees.
Pizza remains a popular choice at Audubon’s Hotel and Restaurant. Photo by Lisa Waterman Gray
Under the same roof, Audobon’s Palace Bar has served cocktails and beer since 1903. Ste. Genevieve visitors can also check out approximately half a dozen wineries in the surrounding area, although our day trip didn’t allow time for us to explore them. A trip to Crown Valley Brewing & Distilling is the perfect destination for beer and spirits lovers.
Staying in Sainte Genevieve, Missouri
History buffs who want to spend more than a day touring this unusual community will find plenty of independently owned lodging options in addition to name-brand hotels. Reserve a room at Hotel Audobon or Inn St. Gemme, built in 1848. You’ll also find B&Bs, Airbnbs, and other vacation rentals. Or check the Ste. Genevieve website to book a quiet night in the country.
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Exploring Sainte Genevieve, Missouri
From its 1700s architecture and ambiance to its rich, multi-cultural history, Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, offers visitors a closer look at historic French and Spanish life without the cost of a plane ticket to Europe. When planning your next trip to the Midwest, check out what Wander With Wonder says about places to eat, stay and play.
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