Ste. Genevieve County is one of the five original counties of Missouri. It was organized October 1, 1812, and named for the French Saint, Patroness of Paris. There are currently about 18,000 residents in the county, with a third of them living in the city of Ste. Genevieve. Other major cities: Bloomsdale, Rocky Ridge and Saint Mary.

In the City of Ste. Genevieve, just an hour south of St. Louis, visitors will find an historic French colonial village, the oldest community west of the Mississippi. A number of buildings have quarters and kitchens typically used by slaves. Some of the village’s most famous features:

• The Amoureux House. This post-in-ground home – there is no foundation – was built in 1792.
• The Bequette-Ribault House. Like the Amoureux House, this home also was built with no foundation, overlooking Le Grand Champ agricultural fields.
• The Bolduc House Museum. Built in 1770 out of vertically placed logs, this home is considered an outstanding example of French colonial architecture.

Hawn State Park is located in western Ste. Genevieve County, and has the reputation of being the loveliest of all of Missouri’s state parks. Clear streams run through the forests, bluffs and canyons of the 4,953-acre park. The Whispering Pine Wild Area is great for bird watching. Pickle Creek has been designated a state natural area.