Breaux Bridge

On August 25, 1829, Scholastique Picou Breaux founded Breaux Bridge, Louisiana at the age of 33.

Scholastique was born Scholastique Melanie Picou on July 25, 1796. At a young age, she married Agricole Breaux; together, they had five children. In 1817, the couple replaced the Bayou Têche suspension footbridge built by Agricole’s father with a vehicular bridge that allowed wagon passage and made way for the area’s increasing commerce. At the age of 32, Scholastique became a widow.

A determined Acadian woman, Scholastique drew up Plan de la Ville du Pont des Breaux (“Plan for the City of Breaux Bridge”), which included a detailed map of the area and a diagram of streets. She developed the area by selling land lots to other Acadian settlers. In 1847, a church parish was created; and 12 years later, the area was officially incorporated. After founding the town, Scholastique remarried and birthed an additional two children.