All Things to Do in Sainte Genevieve

The Bossier-Shaw House Site Office and Interpretive Center – Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Gateway to Sainte Geneviève’s Layered History Most historic site visitor centers occupy modern buildings constructed specifically for administrative functions—climate-controlled boxes with exhibit spaces designed from the beginning for interpretive displays. The Bossier-Shaw House operates differently. This is a genuine 1819 building constructed by Jean-Baptiste Bossier as a storehouse for his mercantile business, later expanded by Dr. Benjamin Shaw into a residence, and transformed in the 1930s into the headquarters for the Ste. Genevieve Art Colony—a radical gathering of Depression-era artists including Thomas Hart Benton, Joe Jones, Jessie Beard Rickly, and Aimee Schweig who captured tenant farmers’ encampments, lime kiln workers, sharecroppers, and the human condition in ways that established this small Missouri river town as “the Mecca of Midwestern art.” Today, operated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as the site office and interpretive center for the Felix Vallé State Historic Site complex, the Bossier-Shaw House hosts rotating exhibits throughout the year that explore the area’s history in the context of broader Missouri heritage, maintains a small gift shop featuring books on French Colonial history and colonial period items, and presides over the coolest feature Read more…

Brix Urban Winery and Market offers visitors a unique taste of handcrafted beverages paired with small-town charm and historic ambiance. Under new ownership since 2024, Brix is now part of the Schaaf family’s growing collection of beloved local establishments, which includes Pat’s Pastries in Ste. Geneviève, as well as Celebrations, Goose and Gander, and Ebb and Flow in Cape Girardeau. This family dedication to quality and community shines through in every aspect of the Brix experience. Step into their inviting tasting room where you can sample their specialty: homemade mead, the ancient honey wine that’s experiencing a modern renaissance. In addition to their carefully crafted meads, Brix also features Ebb and Flow home brews, bringing the best of the Schaaf family’s beverage offerings together under one roof. Whether you’re a mead enthusiast or curious to try this historic beverage for the first time, their knowledgeable staff will guide you through a tasting experience that’s both educational and delightful. Take a moment to relax under the dappled shade of their picturesque grape arbor—a perfect spot to savor your drink while soaking in the historic atmosphere of one of Missouri’s oldest communities. The outdoor space provides an ideal setting for conversation, contemplation, Read more…

Centre for French Colonial Life – Gateway to America’s French Heritage At the corner of 2nd and Market Streets in the heart of Ste. Genevieve’s Historic District stands the Centre for French Colonial Life, an institution dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the remarkably rich story of the French colonial presence in the Mississippi River Valley. Your Journey Begins Here The Centre for French Colonial Life is designed to be your first stop when exploring Ste. Genevieve’s French colonial heritage. Inside this modern facility, you’ll find everything you need to make the most of your visit: thoughtfully curated changing exhibits that provide context and depth, a well-stocked gift shop offering books and items related to French colonial history, and friendly staff ready to answer questions and help you plan your exploration of the museum campus. This is where you’ll purchase tickets for the guided tours of the historic Bolduc and LeMeilleur Houses, learn about special programs and events, and get oriented to the broader story you’re about to experience. The Centre serves as the interpretive foundation that makes your visits to the historic houses more meaningful—providing background, context, and the big-picture understanding that transforms a tour of old buildings into Read more…

Takes Place The Last Saturday in August. When: 4th Saturday in August Call us at 800-373-7007 or 573-883-7097 A family-friendly, living history event! Observe Civil War camp life and demonstrations of marching, and musket fire. Learn about Ste. Geneviève citizens who fought in the war, some on each side. It is actually being held on Saturday, August 27th. The camp will be set up in the yard of the Felix Valle House State Historic Site. From 11:00am to 11:45am on that day, we will do a re-enactment of the Federal troops taking money from our bank during the early days of the Civil War. The re-enactment will be on the corner of Merchant and Main in front of the Show Me Shop. Read more…

CJoy Art Works: Turning Out Wonderful Creations in Little Bohemia At 199 North Main Street in the Little Bohemia neighborhood of downtown Ste. Genevieve, Christina Joy Elsen opens CJoy Art Works—a studio storefront showcasing hand-built ceramic work by an artist whose journey spans scenic design for Disney and Sesame Street Live, professional painting, organic farming, and three decades of artistic evolution. Relocating to Ste. Genevieve in 2025 after emerging from a St. Louis basement studio with a distinctive hand-building style developed through years of personal practice, Christina brings BA in Studio Art from Carleton College (1995), professional credentials as scenic artist in Minneapolis, and deeply personal understanding of how life’s transformations shape artistic vision. The studio displays functional and sculptural pottery created through careful hand-building techniques, inviting visitors to experience work developed across multiple creative chapters—each piece reflecting years of skill refinement, artistic intentionality, and love of the medium. From Scenic Design to Studio Pottery: A Creative Journey Christina Joy Elsen’s artistic path spans multiple mediums and decades of creative practice. After earning her BA in Studio Art from Carleton College in 1995, she worked as scenic artist in Minneapolis, building and painting sets for major productions including Sesame Street Read more…