From the city’s original namesake, French officer Jean Baptiste de Girardot, to architectural and cultural influences, Cape Girardeau is among several communities along the Mississippi River whose French heritage is alive and well. In honor Mardi Gras, we’re exploring some of that heritage with three places you can experience it firsthand in the city’s downtown area.

Red House Interpretive Center

Location: 128 Aquamsi St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Located on the site of Old St. Vincent’s Church just off Main Street, the Red House tells the story of the city’s founder, French-Canadian Louis Lorimier and commemorates the 1803 visit of Merriwether Lewis and William Clark. Exhibits include Lorimier’s Trading Post, The Lorimier Room, The Girardot Room and Historic Gardens. Special events are held at the site seasonally, including guest lecturers, music and more. Learn more: https://www.visitmo.com/things-to-do/red-house-interpretive-center

Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine

Location: 114 Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Located in Cape Girardeau’s historic downtown near the Mississippi Riverfront, Broussard’s Cajun Cuisine pays homage to its founders’ Cajun roots, bringing authentic Louisana-inspired fare to the Midwest. It’s a great place to celebrate Mardi Gras (or any other occasion, including lunch!) Learn more about Broussard’s and the many other great restaurants Cape offers with our online dining guide: https://www.visitcape.com/eat/

The Reynolds House

Location: 623 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO

Built in 1857, the Reynold’s House architecture features a French Colonial design and was originally owned by James Reynolds, a flour mill operator.  The property was first placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, and in recent years has undergone significant renovation to preserve the building as a future exhibit and community space.

Interested in other French tidbits from around Cape Girardeau?

Cape La Croix Creek: In 1699, French missionaries Fathers Montigny, Davion and St. Cosme erected a cross where this Cape Girardeau stream entered the Mississippi River. The stream has been known as La Croix (translated in French to “The Cross”) Creek ever since.

Old St. Vincent’s: The Vincentians, founded by St. Vincent de Paul in Paris, France in 1625, built a seminary and college in Cape Girardeau 1838 (now part of Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus) and in 1853 constructed what is now Old St. Vincent Church at 131 S. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. With it’s beautiful English Gothic Revival Architecture, the church was declared a Religious Cultural Center in 1977, and continues to host weekly Mass.