When French explorers first came upon the site of BATON ROUGE in 1699, they found poles smeared in animal blood to designate the separate hunting grounds of the Houmas and Bayougoulas Indians. The area on these shallow bluffs therefore appeared on French maps as Baton Rouge - "red stick." Now capital of Louisiana and the fifth biggest port in the US, Baton Rouge is an easygoing city for its size.

Baton Rouge

• Baton Rouge
• Eating, drinking and nightlife
• Arrival, information and accommodation

Explore Baton Rouge

• Louisiana State Capitol
• Riverfront

Louisiana cities


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