Best Town 2026: St. Francisville

Mayor Andrew “Andy” D’Aquilla says, “We are deeply honored to be named Louisiana Life magazine’s Best Town in Louisiana. This recognition reflects the charm, history and natural beauty of St. Francisville, but most importantly, it celebrates the people who make our town such a welcoming and special place.”

Established in 1807 and tucked away just 26 miles north of Baton Rouge, St. Francisville is perched atop Louisiana’s hill country. The heart of St. Francisville can be found not only in its small businesses and restaurants, its main street promenade and its nature trails, but in its landscape and people. Under a canopy of ancient trees, there is a charm here, as mysterious as it is inviting, a waypoint connecting all of Louisiana.

April McGhee, executive director of the West Feliciana Parish Tourist Commission, has spent the better part of her life living in St. Francisville and has watched it evolve into a space that asks people to find comfort in the joys of the community.

“I moved here in the fourth grade, married my high school sweetheart and am raising two little girls here,” says April. “St. Francisville has always been welcoming and locally owned, with a small-town vibe that is authentic and pure. Everybody is connected and comes together in the community.”

St. Francisville’s allure goes beyond the landscape. The saint restaurant & bar, inside the regal St. Francisville Inn, has distinguished itself as one of the top brunch spots in the nation; an honor solidified by Michelin’s recognition as a “Recommended restaurant” in 2025. Along with The Saint, the Magnolia Cafe is a prime spot for locals, known for its family-first approach to fine food, and an iconic pig statue named Gustav that makes visitors feel like they’re dining where long-gone generations have before. That timeless cross section of today and yesterday is best exemplified in The Myrtles. Rumored to be one of the most haunted locations in the continental United States, it is a lavish house steeped in history and myth. Then there is Port Hudson, the long-fabled battleground where freedom was hard won amid the smog of cannon fire. The Afton Villa Gardens, an enchanting garden listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983,  invites visitors to explore its 20 acres of blooming flora and singular fauna.

St. Francisville leaves a lasting impression that beckons all who visit to soon return.

“I hope people leave St. Francisville knowing how much they needed to live in the moment and reconnect with the people they love,” says April. “St. Francisville permits visitors to slow down and ultimately leave thinking, ‘I can’t wait to come back’.”