Many people visit south Louisiana to get a taste of the rich cultural heritage of the Creoles, Cajuns, and plantation country. Part of this heritage is the savory culinary tradition found only in south Louisiana, and Bocage Plantation is the perfect base-camp to set forth from in search of this legendary food.
Everything from gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and duck piquant to freshly caught seafood and fried catfish can be found a short drive from Bocage Plantation. Hymel’s Seafood Restaurant offers the best fried seafood on River Road while The Grapevine Cafe and Gallery in Donaldsonville has pecan-encrusted drum that is to die for.

In fact, if you book an extended stay at Bocage Plantation’s bed and breakfast, you might have the opportunity of befriending a local Cajun who will invite you over for a crawfish boil or a homemade pot of gumbo, made with the recipe that has been passed down in his family for generations!

Bocage is only an hour and a half from Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, which hosts the state’s largest crawfish festival every year.

A stay at Bocage Plantation will certainly please the most die-hard culinary enthusiasists, given it’s proximity to Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and other surrounding Cajun and Creole communities.

Enjoy the flavor of Cajun country!

Many bed and breakfasts offer comfortable amenities, fine dining, and quiet accommodations that allow you to relax and let off some steam. But how many B&B’s offer a unique cultural experience that descends from long lines of family lineage and locally made antique furniture? Bocage Plantation offers all of the above and specializes in providing a B&B setting similar to that found in the manor originally.

Louis Arthur Colomb and his wife, Mathilde de Lauzon Thibaut, constructed Bocage between 1835 and 1837. The Colombs were a wealthy couple and belonged to a larger, influential family known as the Bringiers. The Bringiers owned several plantations along River Road and had a lot of political power in Louisiana during the first half of the 19th-century. They no doubt would have furnished Bocage elegantly with the finest antiques.

The current owner of Bocage, Marion Rundell, has furnished Bocage in much the same way, allowing you to take a step back in time. Sit in the parlor furniture, made the Meeks brothers in the 1840s and modeled after furniture found at Stanton Hall in Natchez, Mississippi, and hold court just as the original owners would have. Relax in beds made by Prudent Mallard and Charles Lee, famous New Orleans furniture makers who supplied many plantation homes in Louisiana with exceptional furniture in the decades before the Civil War. Take in the view from the upper gallery, just as the Colombs did after a long day of work.

Bocage is unique because of it’s rich cultural heritage found throughout the house in the furniture, the architectural details, and the Creole influence that pervades the home. Although the plantation no longer produces sugar, remnants of its past still dot the landscape, taking the form of brick ruins. What you find at Bocage is a living heritage that is hard to find at many other bed and breakfasts. If you want to experience the comforts of plantation life in the antebellum, Bocage Plantation is the bed and breakfast for you.

Before you book a stay at a Baton Rouge bed and breakfast, you’ll probably look around online for any reviews from guests. Online review websites for hotels and bed and breakfasts have become very popular. Consumers are more informed than ever before, and by spending just a few minutes reading about the experiences of other guests, they can decide whether or not they want to book a stay at the bed and breakfast they’re considering.
But can you really trust what you find on these consumer review websites?
Most simply stated: yes and no.
Without a doubt, it’s always a good idea to do your research when booking a stay at a Baton Rouge bed and breakfast. The more information you have at your disposal, the less likely it is that you’ll stay at a place you aren’t satisfied with.
And for the most part, the online reviews left by past guests contain useful information that will help guide your decision. But there are some things you have to remember when reading these reviews.

• Don’t put too much stock into any single review—Rather than focusing your attention on any single review—whether positive or negative—you should consider all of the reviews together. Look for common themes throughout the reviews. If people seem to all be complaining or praising a specific thing about the bed and breakfast, that’s a sign that what they’re saying is probably true.
• Unhappy guests are far likelier to post reviews—It’s a known fact. Unhappy customers are much more vocal about their experiences than satisfied customers. That’s why many review websites tend to lean heavily toward negative comments. Keep this in mind when reading reviews. You may not be getting the full story.
• Competitors may try to trash another establishment’s reputation—They say all is fair in love and war, but sometimes, competing hotels and bed and breakfasts go too far. Some competitors have actually tried leaving false reviews for other establishments in order to drive customers away.

If you’re going to read reviews before booking, just remember the information in this article. Consider the source, use the information you have to make a sound decision, and always remember that you may not be getting both sides of the story.

Going on a trip is supposed to be fun, but too many times, we turn traveling into a stressful experience. That defeats the whole purpose of getting away and relaxing for a while. That’s why we’ve come up with this list of 5 tips to help you learn stress a little less when traveling.

1. Pack your bags early—Getting al packed up for your trip can be stressful. You have to make sure that you have everything you need, and you want to be certain you don’t forget to bring anything. If you wait until the last minute to start packing, you’re going to stress yourself out because you have to rush. Start packing for your trip earlier to avoid the stress.
2. Plan, but don’t over-plan—It’s always a good idea to have a plan for things you want to do on your trip. However, you have to be careful that you don’t over-plan. When you plan too much, you won’t have any flexibility to really enjoy your vacation. Instead, you’ll just be stressing out the whole time about sticking to the itinerary.
3. Don’t try to bite off more than you can chew—When making your plans, be realistic. Don’t try to do more on your trip than is really possible. You won’t be able to do it all, so focus on the important things and just try to enjoy what you can.
4. Don’t neglect your health—It’s natural to break your diet or stop exercising when you’re on vacation. There’s nothing wrong with letting loose, but you do have to still keep an eye on your health. Poor diet and lack of exercise can contribute to higher stress levels.
5. RELAX—You’re on vacation. Relax! Now isn’t the time to be stressing out. That’s part of why you’re on a vacation in the first place, so you can get away from the stress of your daily life. Don’t let the small things that go wrong overwhelm you. Keep it in perspective and enjoy your trip.

If you’re taking a trip to a Louisiana plantation, make sure you follow these simple tips to stay stress-free so you can enjoy your vacation.

There’s nothing more frustrating than going on vacation, arriving at your destination, and finding out that you forgot to pack an important item that you really need. It’s hard to remember everything when packing. That’s why it’s a good idea to make a checklist and start packing early. When making your checklist, don’t forget to include these 5 important items.

1. Extra shoes—You have to take care of your feet while traveling. Make sure you have shoes that are good for walking as well as a pair of nicer shoes for if you decide to go to a fancy dinner or show.
2. Pen and paper—There are many good reasons to keep a small notebook and pen on hand when traveling. First, you may wish to document your travels, so you can look back on the memories one day. You may also need to write down tour times or contact information that you can’t afford to forget.
3. Shopping bag—Planning on doing some shopping while at your Louisiana bed and breakfast? It’s a good idea to bring a nice tote bag along with you for storing all the souvenirs and other items you buy while you’re out. That way, you’re not lugging around several bags from different stores.
4. Medications—If you have any prescription medications that you need to take, make absolutely certain that you pack them up.
5. Hand sanitizer—It’s very easy to get sick when you’re out traveling. Think about it. You’re probably walking around to a lot of different places and touching different things. Keep a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you to fight off those germs.

What are some of the items you can’t do without when traveling?

Looking for the perfect romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day? Visiting a Baton Rouge bed and breakfast is a great way to spend the holiday with the person you love most. Bed and breakfasts have always been a popular destination for couples. Lovebirds regularly stay at B&Bs for honeymoons, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and other romantic occasions.
A Baton Rouge bed and breakfast is ideal for Valentine’s Day for many reasons.

• The historic surroundings of an old bed and breakfast instantly take you back to a more romantic time.
• Bed and breakfasts are much smaller than the typical hotel, providing a cozier, more intimate atmosphere.
• A plantation Baton Rouge bed and breakfast, like Bocage Plantation, gives you the opportunity to get away from the city to enjoy peaceful, romantic surroundings.
• Staying at a bed and breakfast is a different, more unique vacation. This will make your Valentine’s Day far more memorable than staying at a boring hotel.

Simply put, going to a bed and breakfast is one of the most romantic things you can do with your loved one for Valentine’s Day. A cozy, historic B&B, like Bocage Plantation Baton Rouge bed & breakfast, is the perfect destination for a romantic getaway with your partner.
Bocage Plantation, a top Baton Rouge B&B, is currently accepting reservations for Valentine’s Day. You can click here to book online now. Remember, space is limited, so book early before it gets filled up! Our historic bed and breakfast offers the romantic surroundings you’re looking for, so you and your partner are sure to have a memorable Valentine’s Day. Just take a look at these lovely pictures of Bocage Plantation to see for yourself how romantic our bed and breakfast is.
Have a question about visiting Bocage Plantation? Leave a comment and we’ll respond.

Many people think Bocage Plantation is just a bed and breakfast for spending the night and enjoying a tasty meal, but it’s so much more than that. Our facilities are often used to host an array of special events, including:

1. Holiday parties—There’s no better place to celebrate the holidays than Bocage Plantation. Our spacious bed and breakfast offers plenty of room for all your guests, and we have 100 paved parking spots for your convenience.
2. Family reunions—Thinking about getting the whole family together for a celebration? Bocage Plantation is centrally located to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, making it the ideal gathering spot for family reunions.
3. Weddings—Celebrate the biggest day of your life with complete elegance. Historical Bocage Plantation offers up a romantic backdrop for a memorable wedding. We can even help you with all of your wedding planning.
4. Garden parties—Our Louisiana plantation is the perfect setting for a garden party. The courtyard in front of the mansion can be perfectly arranged as a stage to present musical programs. You won’t find a more beautiful, picturesque venue for your garden party!
5. Company meetings—Bocage Plantation has double parlors, both upstairs and downstairs, that can easily be arranged for your company meetings. With our classy antique chairs, your meeting will be set in a stylish, unique venue.

Have a question about hosting an event at our Louisiana plantation? Leave a comment and we’ll respond.

Planning a big company party? Whether it’s a holiday party, a celebration of your company’s growth, or any other type of special occasion, it’s important that you avoid these 5 mistakes when planning your company party.
Mistake #1: Waiting until the last minute to set a date
Waiting too long to set a date for the party creates many problems. First, the longer you wait, the harder it will be to secure a venue that can accommodate all of your guests. And second, the longer you wait, the harder it will be for your employees to clear their schedules so they can attend the party.
The sooner you can start planning your party, the better. You’ll be able to find the ideal venue, and you’ll have enough time to plan all the details that go into throwing a memorable party for your guests.
Mistake #2: Not having a party planning committee
There’s a lot that goes into planning a company party. From securing the venue, to planning the menu, to thinking up fun games and activities, it’s just too much for one person to handle on their own. By creating a party planning committee with your staff, you can have a few people pitch in and make the planning process a little easier. Just be sure your committee isn’t too large, because everyone will have their own opinion, making it hard to get people on the same page.
Mistake #3: Not creating excitement for your party
Let’s face it—most company parties are boring. It can be hard to get employees motivated enough to attend. That’s why it’s important that you really take the time to generate some buzz and get everyone excited about the party.
Mistake #4: Doing the same party every year
Your employees are tired of attending the same party time and time again. This year, do something different to create some excitement. Add some new activities. Create a different theme. Host it at a different venue. There are plenty of things you can do to make your party fresh and fun for everyone.
Mistake #5: Choosing a bad location
Location matters. An interesting, unique location can take your company party from average to amazing. Bocage Plantation proudly hosts all types of events, including company parties and corporate events of all types.

Have a question about booking a company party at Bocage? Leave a comment so we can help!

Whether you’re planning a stay at Bocage Plantation or you’re headed somewhere else, it’s important that you pack properly for your trip. To help you out, we’ve put together a list of great packing tips that we’ve learned from years of managing a bed and breakfast and traveling ourselves.

1. Take a look at the weather forecast—A simple visit to Weather.com can give you a good idea of what the weather will be like at your destination for at least the next 10 days. This information will help you determine what type of clothes you need to bring (for hot weather or cool).
2. Pack some plastic bags—Plastic bags are good for packing toiletries, and it’s also helpful to have a few extra bags on hand for storing your dirty clothes.
3. Bring only the things you know you’ll use—Pack only the things you know you’ll use. You don’t want to be lugging around your entire closet in multiple suitcases, when you’re probably not even going to wear half of it. One easy way to avoid this is to pack clothes that serve multiple purposes (e.g. a polo shirt that could be worn during the day or at night).
4. Leave a little extra room for souvenirs—You don’t want to stuff your bags to the brim, because you won’t have room to bring anything extra back. Chances are, you’re going to buy some souvenirs while on your trip, so you need to leave a little extra room for these items.
5. Split up clothes when traveling with others—Sometimes, bags get lost. But a lost bag doesn’t have to mean your trip is ruined. If you’re traveling with someone else, put some of your clothes in their bag and vice versa. This way, if one of your bags get lost, you’ll still have some clothes to hold you over until it gets returned.
6. Roll rather than fold—For some reason, rolling clothes takes up less room than folding them. This lets you maximize your suitcase space.
7. Don’t wait until the last minute—When you wait until the last minute to pack, you’re either going to forget something or have to run to the store at an inconvenient hour to buy something you just found out you don’t have.

What are some of your best packing tips? Share them by leaving a comment.

One recent survey found that 8 out of 10 travelers said they wanted to try staying at a bed and breakfast in the upcoming year. What is it about staying at a bed and breakfast that’s so appealing, you ask? Why stay at a Louisiana bed and breakfast instead of at a typical hotel?
Well, there are a number of things a bed and breakfast offers that you just can’t get at the typical hotel.

• Romantic setting—Most bed and breakfasts are extremely cozy and comfortable. There’s just something about the surroundings that feels romantic. That’s why so many couples host their weddings at Bocage Plantation, and it’s also why we have so many people staying here on their honeymoons. Big hotels simply can’t match the romantic ambiance of a nice bed and breakfast.
• History all around you—Bocage Plantation (and some other B&Bs) is a registered historic treasure that was built back in 1837. The place is simply oozing with history, so staying here is almost like taking a trip back in time (without sacrificing today’s most desirable amenities).
• Unique experience—Let’s be honest, most average hotels are all pretty much the same. They look the same, feel the same. They all just blend together. Staying at a Louisiana bed and breakfast is different. It’s an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
• Full breakfast included—Staying at a bed and breakfast means you get, you guessed it, a full breakfast in the morning. For a full breakfast at most hotels, you’ll have to pay a pretty penny, or you could enjoy their complementary, stale pastries (eww!). At Bocage Plantation, a full, delicious breakfast is included with your room rate.

There are many reasons travelers are choosing bed and breakfast lodging over staying at a hotel. What’s your reason?