St. Martinville in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Duchamp Opera House

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 23, 2025

1. Duchamp Opera House Marker

Inscription.
The Duchamp Opera House was built in 1830, making it not only the oldest building in St. Martin Parish, but also one of the oldest in Acadiana. It is also thought to be the oldest surviving opera house in the country.
The second floor hosted theater performances by the New Orleans opera and other traveling opera companies, dance troupes and acting groups from all over the world.
In 1918, the building was sold and it became the Bienvenue Brothers Department Store. When the store closed in 1994, the building was donated to the City of St. Martinville and served several different purposes before being sold in 2022.
After careful renovations following historic guidlines, it is now a premier event space that also includes overnight accommodations to host guests from all over the world.

This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Erected by Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Notable Buildings.

Location. 30° 7.344′ N,

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91° 49.78′ W. Marker is in St. Martinville, Louisiana, in St. Martin Parish. It is on South Main Street (State Highway 31) near East Port Street (State Route 96), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 South Main Street, Saint Martinville LA 70582, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana — Cajun Country

and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

Acadia,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: St. Martinville (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ange Marie Jan (about 300 feet away); St. Martin Catholic Church (about 300 feet

Photographed by Cajun Scrambler, October 23, 2025

2. Duchamp Opera House Marker

away); On This Site Lie Buried Officers of The Attakapas Militia (about 500 feet away); Evangeline Monument (about 500 feet away); Attakapa Indian (about 500 feet away); The Old Castillo Hotel (about 700 feet away); Evangeline Oak (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Martinville.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2025, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.