Natchitoches Film Trail

Natchitoches burst onto the film location scene when the play by local author, Robert Harling, became the blockbuster hit, Steel Magnolias, in 1989.

  • Natchitoches Film Trail
  • Natchitoches Film Trail

Since then, Natchitoches has seen a share of visitors to its charming main street community, as well as surrounding areas, looking for the Eatenton’s home, now the Steel Magnolias Bed & Breakfast, and other scenes from the movie. But, this was not the first movie filmed in the area, and certainly it will not be the last. Thanks to a favorable business climate, local crews, and beautiful and varied locations for shooting, Natchitoches has been the location for many movies. See the list of top movies and locations, and come take a walk through Louisiana’s oldest settlement, also known as the home of Steel Magnolias. And, be on the lookout for movie scouts, movie trailers, and be patient when a road is closed for filming. You never know who you might get to take a selfie with! Download the brochure.

Steel Magnolias - 1989

  1. Shelby’s wedding – St. Augustine Catholic Church, LA Hwy. 493, Melrose.
  2. Post-game interviews – Northwestern State University Field House, NSU-468 Caspari Street
  3. Shelby’s Funeral – American Cemetery, 2nd Street between Demeziere and railroad tracks
  4. Ouiser’s House – Lemee House, 310 Rue Jefferson
  5. Steel Magnolia’s House – Eatenton home (Also a Bed & Breakfast), 320 Jefferson
  6. Truvy’s church – Trinity Episcopal Church, 533 2nd Street
  7. Mrs. Robeline’s boarding house — Private Home, 301 Rue Touline
  8. Aunt Fern’s home – Chaplin House (Private Home), 434 2nd Street
  9. Susan Harling Robinson Memorial Park – Corner of Cypress Avenue and Pine Street
  10. Truvy’s No. 2 – Blanchard Building, 700 block of Front Street adjacent to Ducournau Square
  11. Easter egg hunt – Beau Jardin, 800 block of Washington Street
  12. Annelle and Sammy’s home – Private Home, 515 St. Maurice Lane
  13. Truvy’s home – Private Home, 453 Henry Boulevard
  14. Shopping with Clairee and Ouiser — Super One, 318 Dixie Plaza on Keyser Avenue
  15. Baby’s birth – Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, 501 Keyser Avenue
  16. Clairee’s home – Tauzin Plantation Home (Private Home), 1950 Williams Avenue
  17. Shelby and Jackson’s home – Odalie Lambre-Gwinn House (Private Home), 1972 Williams Avenue

The Horse Soldiers – 1959

John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers star in this 1863, fact-based story about a Union mission to destroy a railroad junction deep within Confederate territory.

  1. Oakland Plantation (Cane River Creole NHP) – 4386 LA Hwy 494, Natchez
  2. Oaklawn Plantation (Private) – LA Hwy 494, Natchez
     

The Man in the Moon – 1991

Based on a true story.

The Man in the Moon is an American coming-of-age drama, Reese Witherspoon’s film debut and director, Robert Mulligan’s final film.

  1. Old Robeline Methodist Church - 9110 Texas Street, Robeline
  2. Robeline Cemetery – LA Hwy 6, Robeline
  3. Bob Welch Farm – LA Hwy 6, Robeline
  4. Trant House (Private) – Along Cane River across Pratt’s Bridge, near Point Place
  5. Kisatchie Falls – Just off Hwy 118, Robeline
  6. Filmed in Many in neighboring Sabine Parish as well

The Year Without a Santa Claus – 2006

John Goodman, a discouraged Santa, decides to skip a year of delivering presents, until he rediscovers the true meaning of Christmas.

  1. Front Street

The Garden Club – 2008

Based on the book by former Natchitoches Mayor and Historian, Robert “Bobby” DeBlieux.

His family ruined by the actions of The Garden Club, Bart Summerville secretly returns to Cane Lake, Louisiana, to seek his revenge.

  1. Tante Huppé House (Author’s Home) — 424 Jefferson Street
  2. City Park — 314 Amulet Street

 For Sale By Owner – 2009

This horror film, about a fixer-upper home not being all it seems, stars Kris Kristofferson, Scott Cooper, Joanna Cassidy, and Tom Skerritt.

  1. Cane River Creole National Historical Park, Magnolia Plantation Complex – 5549 Hwy 119, Derry
  2. Magnolia Plantation Home (Private) – Hwy 119, Derry

Clementine Hunter’s World – 2016

This award-winning short documentary features life along the banks of the Cane River and colorful paintings of self-taught, primitive artist Clementine Hunter.

  1. Melrose Plantation — 3533 LA Hwy 119, Melrose
  2. Artwork Displays — Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, 800 Front Street