Visit St. Bernard
St. Bernard Parish is New Orleans' most historic neighbor in a variety of ways. Famously, it was the site of the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812. The battlefield, operated by the National Park Service, is open daily for visits to the interpretive center and park ranger chats. St. Bernard Parish (San Bernardo) was originally settled in 1778 by Spanish colonists from the Canary Islands who were recruited by the Spanish Empire which currently had control of New Orleans. These settlers, known as Isleños, brought with them their own culture, history, food, language, and customs. They were a people of the land, hunting and fishing and working on the many sugar plantations in St. Bernard Parish. Over many generations, and through great difficulties, they have succeeded in preserving their heritage and their language and the decendents of the original settlers still manintain a community in the parish today. Visitors can experience the contributions and way of life of the Islenos at Los Islenos Museum & Village on Bayou Road, open Wednesday - Sunday for tours.
Today St. Bernard is made up of many different types of people. It is a family oriented community, with many generations of families living and working within the parish. Our welcoming nature is the best reason to visit. No-one is a stranger and the locals are always willing to sit and chat for a spell. It is the perfect place to meander the scenic byway for a day, visit the sites, and stop in at a local restaurant or roadside stand. Just make sure to leave some time to chat with the locals, you'll be glad you did.
