This is the first in a series I’ve decided to title French Fri Day, just for fun! And “fun” will definitely be a big part of it. I know that this one is a day late… I forgot it in a draft format yesterday so here it is anyway…

I haven’t figured it all out, yet, but I want to do something that will highlight Louisiana French heritage, its rich culture, and the fun stuff we sometimes just run across. Occasionnally, I might even write en français; I’m originally from Canada (Quebec and New Brunswick) and French is my first language.

In this series, one of my goals is to bring Louisiana’s joie de vivre to the forefront with information or comments about events, festivals, issues, or anything that might be of interest to the people here and to others around the world. Indeed, people everywhere are fascinated by Louisiana because of the diversity of its people, its beautiful landscape, the food, the music, its colorful French language, and its uniqueness as a state. I mean, where else would people be able to snap a picture like this one? (Origin of the picture unknown)

Next week, I will be in the province of Quebec in the town where I grew up, visiting with family and I’ll likely be writing about poutines, little Vachon cakes, and the pizza I am sooo looking forward to eating at Prince Pizzeria in Sorel-Tracy. Truly, the best pizza in the world! In two weeks, I will be in the Lobster capital of the world, Shediac, N.B., and yes eating again but this time lobster, mussles, clams (after digging them up), poutines rapés, and just relaxing on the beach with my 3 year old daughter.

The week after that, I’m off to the 4th Congrès mondial acadien, an event happening every five years for the millions of people around the world who have Acadian connections. This year, it is taking place in the northeastern part of New Brunswick, in and around the city of Caraquet. August 15th is Acadian national day and they take the event seriously up there so it is guaranteed to be something to remember. I hope to write and post pictures while traveling in the next three weeks. Until the next French Fri Day…

A bientôt!

 

Maurice, LA is a small town located just south of Lafayette in south Louisiana with a population of less than 1,000 souls. It was founded in the late 1800s by Maurice Villien, a French business man from Savoy, France and the village used to be called Mauriceville. Despite the fact that Maurice is quite small, its people manage to make it famous for a couple of differents things…

Located on Maurice Ave, Maurice City Bar has been open since 1927 and it is home of the famous Cajun bloody Mary. What helped its reputation, no doubt, is the fact that in Lafayette parish, bars could not stay open past midnight on Sundays while Maurice City Bar, located in Vermilion parish, stayed open until 2am. After midnight on Sundays, this is where the party is happening because Maurice is right across from the Lafayette/Vermilion parish line.

A couple of years ago, another City Bar opened in downtown Lafayette. And wouldn’t you know, this year, it was voted “Best Bar in Acadiana” and it has also been voted #1 for its famous bloody Mary!

You can visit Maurice City Bar online here.

 

The food: Yes, we love food very much in South Louisiana, that is no secret. As for Maurice, it is well known for Hebert’s Specialty Meats and their famous stuffed deboned chicken and their turducken: a chicken stuffed in a duck stuffed in a turkey and all of it with no bones!

Hebert’s (Ay-bears) also offers stuffed duck, stuffed quail, stuffed rabbit, stuffed crab, stuffed shrimp, stuffed catfish filet, boudin, gumbo, aligator meat, frog legs, and much more. All very yummy!

Once you try Hebert’s products, you, too, will be able to say that you’ve been “Cajuned”!

Hebert’s USDA inspected facility is located in Tulsa, OK and they can ship anywhere in the U.S. Click here to visit Hebert’s Specialty Meats online.

 

Another place you do not want to miss if you are in the Maurice area is Villager’s Café.  That is truly the  “Best Kept Secret.” Established in 1997, Villager’s Café is where you can eat the best poor-boys (or Po-boys) in Acadiana. Actually, I would probably argue that they are the best poor-boys anywhere! What is a “poor-boy,” you ask? It’s a sandwich that looks like a sub made with crusty French bread. My favorite at Villager’s is the philly cheese steak poor-boys but she also makes them with roast beef, ham, shrimp, catfish, oysters, and one of the favorites, the Villager, is made with ham & roast beef, pepper cheese, and au jus gravy.

If you are ever in the Maurice area, don’t forget to stop at Villager’s Café and tell Mary Beth I sent you. I promise that you won’t regret it one minute. Click here to visit Villager’s Café online.

One more thing I like about Maurice is the fact that it is not afraid to show its French heritage. In fact, according to the 2000 census, 25% of Maurice’s population speak French at home. On the streets and on Maurice Avenue, signs remind us of this heritage. Makes this little town special, at least to yours truly.

Want to move to Maurice and enjoy some of our great food and Bloody Marys? No problem! I live in Maurice and know its real estate market well. In the past few years, we have seen new subdivisions appear on our landscape: La Premiere, Village Park, and Rue des Cannes, are all located in and around Maurice and offering affordable housing. Let me help you find that special place you can call home and I can assure you that once you’ve tasted what Maurice has to offer, you, too, will never want to leave!

Click here to view all available properties in Maurice, LA

 

 

101-A and 101-B Buffalo Run in Lafayette, LA will be open to the public this Sunday, July 26th, between 2 and 4pm.

Located on the south side of Lafayette, these wonderful garden/patio homes feature 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a bonus room that would make a perfect media room or office. Homes also feature granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, laminate wood floors in living, dinning room and master bedroom, a fireplace, and just enough backyard for those who want the yard but don’t like the maintenance.

Property details:

Price: $210,000

1758 square feet

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 1.5 downstairs – 1 upstairs

Lot size: 35 X 154

Click here to view full listing and more pictures

 

There are several homes currently for sale in the Village of River Ranch in Lafayette, LA, and if you’ve been contemplating buying in River Ranch, now may be the time to make a move as competition among sellers means that prices are great!

Located in the heart of Lafayette, LA, The Village of River Ranch has a population of 2,500+ and some would say that it is a village in itself. In fact, The Village of River Ranch was Lafayette’s first planned community.

If you love Louisiana’s architecture, River Ranch is sure to charm you. Driving through River Ranch is like taking a trip back in Louisiana’s architectural history where you’ll find Caribbean, French, American Colonial, Creole, Acadian, Spanish and Neoclassical Revival homes. The village’s moto is “Preserving our Past. Enriching our Future.”

 

The streets in River Ranch are narrow on purpose and the sidewalks are generous. In fact, if you live in River Ranch, you might not have to drive very often as the village also features retail stores, coffee shops, restaurants, attorneys & doctors offices, and more.

Green areas are everywhere in River Ranch for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors. In addition, River Ranch’s City Club offers a full-service health club with cardiovascular equipment, strength training machines, group exercise classes, personal trainers, and locker rooms with whirlpools, saunas, and steam rooms. There is also an outdoor recreation center featuring tennis courts, a pro shop, and a state of the art swimming pool. For the kids, there is a nursery, summer camps, youth fitness programs, and a Kids’ Club.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Village at River Ranch also features condos and apartments for those who enjoy simple living at its best.

There are currently 53 homes available in River Ranch starting at $299,000 up to $1,350,000 and 36 condos starting at $165,900 for a 1 bedroom to $836,600 for a 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths condo in the Village Square.

Click here to view all available homes and condos in River Ranch

 

 

 

 

The graph below represents home sales in Acadiana from January 1st, 2009, until today, July 22nd. The most popular price range is the 150 – 200 K where many first-time home buyers fall in our area. If you are considering buying a home and taking advantage of the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, now is the time to get started. If you haven’t owned a home in the past three years, you also qualify.

There are currently 472 homes available in the 150 – 200 K price range in all of Acadiana and 291 homes for sale in Lafayette parish.