Sainte Genevieve Historic District
Sainte Genevieve, MO
The oldest permanent European settlement in Missouri, with rare French colonial houses built of vertical logs, some open for tours. Park downtown and walk the compact grid from house to house.
Ste. Genevieve is the first organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River in present-day Missouri; historians disagree on whether it was founded around 1735 or only around 1750. After a major flood, the town moved in 1785 from the Mississippi floodplain about 2 miles (3 km) north to its present site. According to the National Park Service, Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park preserves the largest collection of French vertical-log buildings in the United States, including the Jean Baptiste Vallé House of 1793 and the Bauvais-Amoureux House of 1792.
The park also includes the Green Tree Tavern and the Delassus-Kern House. The town center has been a National Historic Landmark District since 1960, and you should allow half a day to tour the houses. Nearby lies Le Grand Champ, a roughly 7,000-acre (2,800 ha) common field that French settlers farmed in narrow long strips and that is considered the largest surviving example in the country.
- Nearest town
- Sainte Genevieve, MO
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 37.9814, -90.0407
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. Cold, short days in January–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Hawn State Park CampgroundCampsite14 mi from Sainte Genevieve Historic District
- Motorhome stopoverMotorhome stopover22 mi from Sainte Genevieve Historic DistrictMotorhomes
- Motorhome stopoverMotorhome stopover22 mi from Sainte Genevieve Historic DistrictMotorhomes
All campsites in Missouri · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Sainte Genevieve Historic District?
Sainte Genevieve Historic District is in Sainte Genevieve, MO, at GPS 37.9814, -90.0407. It is about 45 mi from St. Louis.
Can you camp near Sainte Genevieve Historic District?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Hawn State Park Campground, about 14 mi away; within 25 mi there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Sainte Genevieve Historic District?
Places worth a stop nearby: Little Grand Canyon (41 mi), Elephant Rocks State Park (42 mi), Ted Drewes Frozen Custard (44 mi) and Gateway Arch (45 mi).
When is the best time to visit Sainte Genevieve Historic District?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)