Plaquemines Parish

Plaquemines Parish is in Louisiana, at the south-east edge of the Greater New Orleans region. (A Louisiana "Parish" is the equivalent of a "county" in other states.) The parish seat is officially Pointe à la Hache, although since the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 most of the government has been in Belle Chasse.

Understand
Plaquemines Parish is a peninsula along both sides of the Mississippi River where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. The area's development started in Louisiana's French and Spanish Colonial eras, taking advantage of the rich agricultural land along the narrow strips near the river, and the rich fishing in the wetlands and Gulf beyond.

In 2005 Hurricane Katrina hit the area. Belle Chasse was moderately damaged; in most of the rest of the Parish damage was severe to catastrophic, with storm surge sweeping over the levees, and smashing or sweeping away the majority of the buildings.

Eastbank
The East Bank is on the same side of the river as most of New Orleans and as Chalmette. It is less populated than Plaquemines' West Bank. Highway 39 follows the River down the Eastbank; it connects to St. Bernard Highway (46) in St. Bernard Parish.

Note that the gas station at Scarsdale, at the intersection of 39 & 3137 across from the ferry to Belle Chasse, is the last chance for gas going down river on this bank.

A number of small communities line the road. A few old plantation houses dot the route, of more modest size than the grand mansions up river; some are immaculately restored, others in states of ruin.

At the town of Phoenix the road splits. Highway 15 runs by the River and 39 continues parallel further back. 15 is the slower more scenic route.

Near the end of the road is Pointe à la Hache, still officially the Parish Seat, but as of Spring 2012 little is there other than the ruins of the old Courthouse and an open convenience store/sandwich shop. A ferry boat crosses the river here to West Pointe à la Hache, the furthest south vehicle crossing of the Mississippi River.

Westbank


Louisiana Highway 23 follows the bends of the Mississippi River down the Westbank. Running down the river north to south:


 * Belle Chasse is the population and business center of the Parish, just down river from the Algiers section of New Orleans. Also home to a Naval Air Station.  The only community in the Parish that might be considered a city.
 * Myrtle Grove has a marina and a few restaurants and bars.
 * Woodland Plantation Old plantation house (featured on 19th century engravings and the labels of bottles of "Southern Comfort" liquor) is now a bed & breakfast. Those not staying the night can take a look around the historic grounds and have a drink at "Spirits Hall", an old church building renovated for secular use.
 * West Pointe à la Hache Ferry across the Mississippi River.
 * Port Sulphur has a number of open businesses (full grocery, hardware, bank etc) otherwise still rare below Belle Chasse.
 * Empire
 * Buras was a "ground zero" for the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A cafe and a couple small businesses in the area are open as of early 2010.
 * Fort Jackson historic brick fort was site of an important battle in the American Civil War.
 * Boothville town has the area's open school and heliport.
 * Venice a small fishing town with roughly 500 inhabitants. It is at the end of Highway 23 along the west bank of the Mississippi River. As the last place down the river delta reachable by land, Venice is nick-named the end of the world. Venice has long been famous for the rich fishing in the area, both commercial and recreational. It also serves the offshore oil rig industry. The town has a couple of restaurants, specializing in fresh seafood, and a couple of small motels and marina cabins are for rent in its vicinity.

Get in
By car, or helicopter to Boothville

See

 * Woodland Plantation, listed above

Do

 * Fishing.

Buy

 * Fresh citrus. Plaquemines has long been famous in this region for the great oranges, satsumas, and other citrus fruit grown here. There are several stands and shops along the highways.

Eat
Belle Chasse has Plaquemines' largest selection of restaurants, both national chains and locals. The area around Venice at the end of Highway 23 has a number of restaurants specializing in fresh seafood.


 * DJ's One Stop Pointe à la Hache, on Route 15 a block up from the Ferry landing near the Courthouse ruins.  This small combination grocery/restaurant is the only place to buy a meal in Pointe à la Hache, but fortunately it's good. Generous reasonably priced sandwiches (the hot sausage and the turkey are both good), eat in or to go; they also do pizzas, and seafood specials on Fridays.

Connect
Area code is 504, same as in New Orleans.

Go next

 * New Orleans
 * Saint Bernard Parish, including Chalmette