About St. Bernard Parish

About

St. Bernard Parish is just 5 miles from downtown New Orleans, yet its scenic beauty, cultural treasures and beautiful waterways will make you yearn to remain in its tranquil surroundings.

Bountiful waterways such as Lake Borne, the Mississippi River and Breton Sound make this a paradise for fishing, hunting or birdwatching..

Our history and culture are commemorated throughout the year. Visit the spot where the nation was defended against the British during the Battle of New Orleans at the National Historical Park Chalmette Battlefield with a reenactment of the skirmish each January. The San Bernardo Scenic Byway follows a bayou that traces an abandoned Mississippi River bed, so you'll see historic homes and other historic sites dating back to the early 1800's, visit fishing villages and feast on abundant Gulf of Mexico seafood.

And speaking of feasting, our main festivals throughout the year celebrate crawfish, tomato, shrimp and oysters. Our Isleños Culture is also a cause for celebration. St. Bernard is a community of warm people who have maintained a unique identity since its founding under the Spanish system of government in 1780. Canary Islanders, who call themselves "Isleños", flocked to the lower portion of the parish joining French pioneers who arrived in the 1720's.