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Photo courtesy Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission
Carnival in Acadiana includes balls, parades, and traditional Cajun runs through the countryside.

Carnival in Acadiana includes balls, parades, and traditional Cajun runs through the countryside.

Photo by Josh Coen

Mardi Gras 2012, Lafayette, LA

Carnival season long and varied in Acadiana

by Cheré Coen | January 24, 2012

It’s that time of year, when winter blues and cold weather fail to get us down. Because as soon as Christmas ends the Carnival season begins with balls and revelry, then parades and fun. All culminates in Mardi Gras, the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when we live it up to give it up.

In Lafayette and surrounding cities there are the traditional Carnival balls and parades. The Cajun tradition of courir des Mardi Gras, …


Cafe Cohen is one of many coffee houses in Lafayette that serves up signature coffee drinks.

Cafe Cohen is one of many coffee houses in Lafayette that serves up signature coffee drinks.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Coffee Houses, Lafayette, LA

French city has more than its share

by Cheré Coen | January 22, 2012

Lafayette is a town that loves its coffee. Maybe it’s the French heritage and its hold on our cuisine, but ask anyone and you’ll find that there can never be enough coffee shops in town.

As you might imagine, there are a few Starbucks throughout the city. Community Coffee, a Louisiana coffee producer with headquarters in Baton Rouge, has a few coffee shops located in Lafayette as part of its …


"Délivrance" will open the festival on Jan. 25, 2012.

Submitted photo

Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival, Lafayette, LA

Annual fête includes film premieres

by Cheré Coen | January 20, 2012

The seventh annual Cinema on the Bayou Film Festival—with daily film screenings, panel discussions, parties and more—will be Jan. 25 through 29, 2012, in various venues throughout Lafayette.

The festival opens Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, with the U.S. premiere of Délivrance, the story of Pierre Surette who leads 80 of his men to freedom during the siege of the British at Fort Beausejour, Canada. Délivrance was an official selection at …


Rotary Point in Lafayette overlooks Bayou Vermilion.

Rotary Point in Lafayette overlooks Bayou Vermilion.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Rotary Point, Lafayette, LA

Park offers wide view of Bayou Vermilion

by Cheré Coen | January 18, 2012

Some people visit for the boat launch, others to enjoy the pavilion overlooking Bayou Vermilion. But one thing’s for sure, Rotary Point at West Bayou Parkway—part bayou access, part peaceful park—offers a quiet respite from the hurried pace of life.

The Rotary Club of Lafayette constructed the park on Vermilion Bayou in the 1980s, donating money toward the scenic overlook that takes in a wide bend of the bayou. In addition to the bayou-side …


King cake bread pudding at Bistro Byronz

King cake bread pudding at Bistro Byronz

Photo by Cheré Coen

Bistro Byronz, Lafayette, LA

True bistro dining comes to Hub City

by Cheré Coen | January 16, 2012

Bistro Byronz is true to its name, serving up a bistro-inspired menu of delightful sandwiches, salad, soups, and appetizers, not to mention a traditional Louisiana Sunday brunch. There’s also a beautiful bar for drinks with good company and outdoor seating for those sunny afternoons Lafayette is known for.

Bistro Byronz began in Baton Rouge and has spread its bistro fare to other Louisiana cities. This month the Lafayette location opened near the …


Troy Bijeaux, chef and owner of Cafe Josephine in Sunset.

Troy Bijeaux, chef and owner of Cafe Josephine in Sunset.

Photo by Cheré Coen

Café Josephine, Sunset, LA

Quaint bistro offers excellent cuisine

by Cheré Coen | January 10, 2012

Troy and Melissa Bijeaux owned a meat market in Sunset, a community located about 20 minutes north of Lafayette. Troy loved to cook and had wonderful success raising money for area Little League teams, serving up plate lunch specials on Fridays. He suggested to his wife that they turn their market into a restaurant, he being at the helm.

The result is Café Josephine, which on the outside resembles what could be a meat …


Cheré Coen's photo

Meet the Lafayette, Louisiana Insider

Cheré Coen

Cheré Dastugue Coen is an award-winning journalist and author living in Lafayette. Her nonfiction books… more





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