Two of Louisiana’s southernmost parishes, Lafourche and Terrebonne, lie in the heart of the state’s vast wetlands.
In the heart of bayou country, get up close and personal with nature in our distinctive wetlands and a taste of Cajun culture.
Whether you catch it yourself or buy it straight from the fisherman, it’s always an adventure. Taste the difference when it’s direct from the sea.
These bayous, marshlands and fertile farmlands are the defining features of this area, and create a perfect environment for every seafood species—shrimp, crabs, oysters and fish.
The names of each parish reflect the defining features of the area, as christened by early French settlers. Lafourche, meaning ‘the fork’, refers to the descending fork of the Mississippi River that is the main bayou of the parish. The fork also describes the area geographically—the green fields of sugar cane in the north branch off into marshes, lakes and bays and streams that support an abundance of wildlife and seafood.
Terrebonne combines the French words for ‘good’ and ‘earth’, and like Lafourche, refers to the incredible fertility of the soil and marshes. The name also aptly describes the way of life for generations of families, who to this day make their living ‘from the earth’, and especially from the many bayous that meander through the parish. Though every type of fish and shellfish are available, the oysters of Terrebonne parish have become internationally known as the finest in the world.
The culture of Lafourche-Terrebonne emerged from a mixture of the Houmas and Chitimacha Indian tribes with settlers from France, Spain, England and the Acadians of Nova Scotia. Though once considered isolated, the many natural resources, Cajun hospitality and a thriving oil and gas industry have created a unique destination for tourists and locals alike. From swamp tours to fishing charters, there are a host of attractions that let you experience our bayou wonderland.
The fishermen of Lafourche-Terrebonne, or LaTer, are spread out through this incredible coastal wetland environment. The mission of LaTerDirectSeafood.com is to provide a single portal for visitors to find, and buy, fresh, wild-caught seafood directly off the boat. Created in partnership with LSU Ag Center and Louisiana Sea Grant, the web site posts the ‘fresh catch’ messages from fishermen throughout the region; the public is urged to contact fishermen directly for location information and to place an order.
