Fontainebleau State Park (OUTDOORS)
The crumbling brick ruins of a sugar mill built in 1829 by Bernard de Marigny de Mandeville, founder of the nearby town of Mandeville, suggest an interesting history for this site, and indeed there is. The wealthy Marigny developed this area across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans as a sugar plantation until 1852. The plantation income helped support his lavish lifestyle. He named his large landholding Fontainebleau after the beautiful forest near Paris, a favorite recreation area of the French kings.
The 2,800-acre park is located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. On a clear day, visitors can see the lake dotted with multi-colored sailboats of all sizes and types. The sandy beach also is a delight for sunbathers. An old railroad track that runs through the park has been converted into the Tammany Trace as a part of the Rails to Trails program. It is a wonderful route for cycling, hiking and in-line skating. After a full day of activities, overnight guests can enjoy the rustic charm of the campground or the scenic setting of the lakefront cabins.
The park's nature trail is a favorite of nature lovers. Interpretive signs along the trail will help you identify many of the common trees and shrubs. Always be on the lookout for birds and other animals, as over 400 different species live in and around Fontainebleau. Bordered on three sides by water – Lake Pontchartrain, Bayou Cane and Bayou Castine – and characterized by a convergence of diverse ecosystems, it has a multitude of habitats for birds.
Upcoming Shows
January 16-18, 2025 | Louisiana Cultures Camp!
Located at Fontainebleau State Park Group Retreat Venue, 1 Group Camp Road, Mandeville, Louisiana
During Louisiana Cultures Camp, people of different backgrounds come together to learn about each other’s cultures through: workshops (cultural sharing, music, dance, and language), informal jams and conversations, live music performances, and food.
The mission at Louisiana Cultures Camp is to honor traditions, ancestors, and cultures, while creating a welcoming space where individuals of all ages and experiences can connect with their roots, explore diverse cultures, and discover their own unique voices in harmony with others.
Jan 2026 Culture bearers will include: Dominican, Choctaw, Afro-Diasporic, Gospel, Creole, Cajun, Filipino, Arabic, Garifuna, Appalachian, Latin, and Vietnamese culture bearers.
Saturday, January 17th Schedule:
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9am: Vietnamese Cultural Sharing (Chef Anh Lu, Vietnamese) (Main Hall)
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10am: Choctaw Songs, Round Dancing and Cultural Dancing (Choctaw, Scierra LeGarde and KirkMcMillan) (Main Hall)
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TBD Arabic Cultural Sharing (Main Hall)
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10am-12pm: Heritage Wild Crafting (Dr Tammy Greer, Houma Nation, Center for American Indian Research and Studies (CAIRS)) (Indoor Staff Room/Outdoor Patio depending on weather)
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12pm: Lunch with Numada (Garifuna) and La Milpa (Salvadoran) Cuisine
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1pm: Afro Diasporic Dance (Kai Knight) (Main Hall)
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1pm: Stick Ball Game (Kirk McMillan, Choctaw) (Indoor Staff Room/Outdoor Patio depending on weather)
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2pm: Gospel Music (Main Hall)
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3pm: Islenos Cultural Sharing (Main Hall)
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4pm: Rhythms of Congo Square (Kamau Philips, Congo Square Preservation Society) (Main Hall)
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2pm: Philippine Cultural Sharing (Indoor Staff Room/Outdoor Patio depending on weather)
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3pm: Nature Walk (Sunpie Barnes)
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5pm: Dinner with Numada (Garifuna) and La Milpa (Salvadoran) Cuisine
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6pm: Cuban - New Orleans Connections (Margie Perez, Latin) (Main Hall)
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7pm: Creole Cajun Dance Workshop (Corey Porche, Louisiana Creole) (Main Hall)
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8-10pm: T Marie and Bayou Juju (Cajun-Creole- Louisiana French) (Main Hall)
Tickets start at $31.72 (Friday Early Bird Day Pass) | $47.73 (Saturday Early Bird Day Pass) | $33.85 (Sunday Early Bird Day Pass) | $74.41 (Early Bird Weekend Pass) | $65.87 (Early Bird Tent Camping)
Full Schedule & More Information at https://www.louisianaculturescamp.org/
