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Logo featuring the text "Maison Stéphanie" surrounded by a green leaf wreath.
A charming two-story house with a dark roof and white balcony sits behind a wrought iron archway and lush garden, surrounded by tall trees.

About Us

Historical marker for Stephanie-Martin Duralde House, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, detailing Martin Duralde's significance in Louisiana history.

The History

Maison Stéphanie is a historic Cajun country bed and breakfast, and all of the restoration of the inn was approved through the United States Park Services. Completion of the home occurred approximately 1796. The 1450-acre land grant was given by the Spanish government to Martin Milony Duralde, a Frenchman from the Basque region. The house is situated on 20 acres of Bayou Teche land in St. Martin Parish. Of his and Marie Louise Perrault Duralde's children, many married into historically significant families. Their daughter, Clarisse, was the wife of W. C. C. Claiborne the first governor of Louisiana.

Over the decades the house was home to the Duralde, Lastrape, Bush, Billeaud, Roy, and Kidder families. We are honored to join this succession of owners and hope to maintain it for generations to come.

Two smiling men pose together, one wearing a blue shirt and the other in a red floral shirt.

The Current Owners

Kenneth P. Douet and Richard Franklin Howes acquired the property in 2019. Richard is a dedicated pediatrician and a passionate gardener. Kenneth is a retired educator and greatly enjoys genealogy. Together they have managed to assist in the design of their current home and collect a significant amount of artwork, including the art, pottery and basketry of American Indigenous peoples.

It is with pleasure that they wish to share with guests and visitors from throughout the world their passions as they relate to Maison Stéphanie.