EVANGELINE OAK PARK

Located in the heart of St. Martinville, this oak tree, if not the oldest in Louisiana, can boast of being the most photographed. It symbolizes the tragedy of the deportation of thousands of Acadians during the Great Upheaval, often separated from their families. This two hundred year old oak tree is very close to the place where men and merchandise landed. Legend has it that Evangeline, who was to have married Gabriel when they were separated and then deported, came every day to weep at the foot of this young oak tree. One fine day, after many years, when she had become an old woman, her prayers were finally answered. Gabriel, to whom she had always remained faithful, arrived. She recognized him at once, but her immense happiness was short-lived. Gabriel had married. Poor Evangeline, who until then had resisted all the hard trials she had undergone as an Acadian in the hope of seeing him again one day, could not bear it. She died a few weeks later of grief... This sad story has reached our days thanks to Henry Longfellow's famous poem, which bears the name of our unfortunate heroine. A historical plaque marks the exact place where Emmeline Labiche and Louis Arceneaux, commonly known as Evangeline and Gabriel, met. To take the experience further and dive into the heart of the Great Deportation, stop by the Acadian Memorial & Cultural Center Museums (open Wednesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm).