Many travelers discover New Roads and False River by accident the first time as they travel the Scenic Back Roads up from New Orleans. Once they find us, they fall in love with the charm and beauty of our little town of 5000 and the beautiful oxbow lake upon which New Roads is located.

In 1699 the French Canadian explorer d’ Iberville and his brother, de Bienville discovered a point where the Mississippi River doubled back on itself. Several years of high water during spring rains altered the course of the Might Mississippi and the 11 mile horseshoe lake was formed. The short cut was called la Pointe Coupee, meaning "Cut off point" in English.

Soon after the explorers came were the trappers, known as coureurs du bois or wood runners. The original settlement, which had a courthouse, a church and some businesses, was located approximately where the Ferry landing is today. The wood runners, mostly local Indians, would go back and forth between the settlements at the landing and a small one on the oxbow. People used the road often and referred to it as the new road. It eventually stuck as the name of the growing settlement on the oxbow. Several floods eventually wiped out the original settlement.

By the middle 1800's, both magnificent plantations homes and small cottages were found on the banks overlooking beautiful Fause Riviere'. The French Planters came to this area, and because the land was high and rich, agriculture was very successful. Tobacco, sugar cane and cotton did very well.

Today, many of our local towns folk hail from those beginnings and anyone who has been here longer than 20 years, is probably related to or married to some one who descended from those early settlers.

When asked of a native New Roadan what is remarkable about their little city, the answer is often "The People." Newcomers agree! Genuinely caring and hospitable, folks here enjoy sharing their "Secret Place" with all who come.

The picturesque oxbow lake is as deep and as wide as the Mississippi and is a favorite recreational area for boating, fishermen, water skiers, sailing and even wind surfing, and the retirees who look forward to the quieter times on the water. From "millionaire row" to the humblest camp, festive atmosphere prevails.

Many visitors enjoy sharing our festivals and holidays so they can experience the flavor and charm of this pre civil war community. The food, the architecture, the old gardens and the unique arts and crafts, the history, the historic buildings are all showcased against the backdrop of beautiful False River, once a part of the greatest River on our continent.

We invite you to come explore and discover the delightful diversity of our thriving city on the "River" in French country. We are located in a central location, NW of Baton Rouge. Within a 50 mile radius, you can visit Natchez, MS, Acadiana, 3 of the courses in the Audubon Golf Tour and German, Italian and Creole communities, as well as just a Ferry Ride away from an antebellum English community of St. Francisville. Travel to New Roads, where visitors are GUESTS of the entire city!