Dozen Distinctive Destinations: Ste. Genevieve, MO

Ste. Geneveieve, Missouri was recently honored as one of the 2008 recipients of the National Trust's annual Dozen Distinctive Destinations, a title that reflects an area's uniqueness and its commitment to historic preservation to maintain its distinctive character.

Says the Trust:

One hour south of St. Louis is the thriving community of Ste. Genevieve, whose charm and ambience is rooted in its singular collection of 18th century French colonial structures - a concentration greater than anywhere else in the United States. The town boasts more than 150 pre-1825 structures, many of which are open to the public, including gems such as The Bolduc House (1785), The Amoureaux House (1792), the Felix Vallé State Historic Site, built in 1818, and the 1806 Guibourd-Valle House with its Norman style trusses. Visitors can also tour the historic Memorial Cemetery where many of Ste. Genevieve’s distinguished early inhabitants are buried.

Below is the town's Bequette-Ribault House:

Congrats, Ste. Gen--yet another community to realize and embrace the value of preservation.