BEDSTE I CAJUN GÆRLIGHED - LA PETITE VOIE DE ST. THERESE

Mission Statement:
My mission is to bear witness to my Christian Faith in the awesomeness of God, who created us, Jesus, who saved us and the Holy Spirit who nourishes our soul with everlasting love.

The meaning of La Petite Voie – The Little Way simply means that one’s way of life must choose to follow the Heart of Jesus, which is Love.

I am a direct descendant of the original Acadian people. My ancestors were deported from Nova Scotia to France. The Spanish government transported Acadian exiles from France to Louisiana on the ship 'Le Saint Remi,' and arriving in Louisiana on September 9, 1785. I was raised in a family of seven children. As I was the oldest daughter I helped my parents with the younger children, and in the family business. In high school I was a cheerleader, a band member, and in 1960 I was crowned the 1st Crawfish Queen in my hometown of Breaux Bridge. I love Cajun music, singing (Acadiana French Choir for twenty years) cooking, gardening, and flower arranging.
I have five beautiful children, thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. I enjoy speaking Cajun French and love meeting people. I am so proud of my Acadian heritage and so thankful that my mother and father gave me a piece of history.

In June 1985, my mother gave me two and a half acres of property that belonged to her grandfather, Renee Chauffe, Sr. It was through the grace of God that I stumbled onto an old house built by Andre' Boudreaux in 1935. I was taken by surprise when in the house there was a picture of Sacred Heart of Jesus. It captured the beauty of my Christian Faith, it said “Christ Wants Your Heart”. I knew instantly that this house was very special.

In 1989 I began remodeling it with the understanding that one day I would love to tell my story of how the Lord played such an important role in my life. I bought the house for three thousand dollars and moved it to “La Campagne”. My uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and family, including the main carpenters Kip Cormier, Stuart Green and Ray Theriot helped me find peace in my simple Cajun House.

'La Petite Voie de St. Thérèse' is unique to this area as it captures the heart and soul of the Acadians that struggled to bring families to a land of milk and honey – where they could pray, work and live together in harmony. It is located on Highway 31, between Pont Breaux (Breaux Bridge), a quaint downtown area with antique shops and great food. Then to the charming town of Parks, next to the historic city of St. Martinville, the birthplace of Acadiana. Take the gateway to Southwest Louisiana to see for yourself why so many visitors say, “Joie de Vivre – Joy of Living” lives in Acadiana.

The home accommodates six people comfortably with a full kitchen, and a dining area. The living area, bedrooms, and bath are enhanced with antique furnishings and allow one to feel that they are taken back in history. A small box of Coty Powder is placed on the bedroom vanity exactly like I remember it in the Chauffe Plantation House. The foyer and the living area are really quite charming and there you will enjoy satellite TV, Wi-Fi, music, videos, and Acadian books (Deportation of Acadians from Nova Scotia). Enjoy the comforts of the outdoor wrap around porch with a swing, cypress rockers, and sofa seating area.

There is statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that comes from the Convent in Grand Coteau and a statue of St. Therese, my patron saint, from my RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) class. The azalea bushes in the springtime are beautiful and the live oak trees are so stately and bursting with beauty. Pecan, Golden Rain, Red Tip Maple, Magnolia, Dogwood, and Bradford Pear trees are waiting to greet you when you visit.

It is my pleasure to welcome you into my home to feel the spirit of peace, love, serenity and tranquility of 'La Petite Voie de St. Thérèse'.
Come share an experience of Cajun Country hospitality and a retreat away from home.