All Things to Do in Sainte Genevieve

Centre for French Colonial Life Gift Shop – Where Every Purchase Supports Preservation of America’s French Colonial Heritage Inside the Centre for French Colonial Life at 198 Market Street—the modern, purpose-built headquarters for the French Colonial America museum campus—French Colonial America’s Gift Shop offers carefully selected items enhancing the educational experience of one of America’s most significant French colonial historic sites. Open daily (Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday Noon – 4:00 PM), this well-stocked museum shop sells books deepening understanding of French colonial history, CDs featuring period music, children’s games making history interactive, and branded merchandise featuring FCA’s signature trademarked logo—shirts, sweatshirts, hats, ornaments, and postcards letting visitors take a piece of Ste. Genevieve’s 290-year French colonial legacy home. Every purchase directly supports the museum’s mission: funding preservation of National Historic Landmark buildings, educational programming reaching thousands annually, scholarly research advancing academic understanding, and professional maintenance protecting irreplaceable architectural and cultural heritage for future generations. The Centre for French Colonial Life: Your Gateway to French Colonial America Understanding the gift shop requires understanding the Centre itself—the sophisticated headquarters facility serving as interpretive foundation and administrative hub for the entire French Colonial America museum campus. The Campus: Since January Read more…

244 St Marys Rd Ste. Geneviève, MO 63670 Call us at 573-880-7189 The Green Tree Tavern is the oldest verified vertical log building in Ste. Geneviève. Officially dated to 1790 by dendrochronology studies, this “poteau sur sole” (post on sill) vertical log construction was built by the French Canadian Nicolas Janis. This impressive structure has also been used as an inn, a tobacco store, and the first Masonic Lodge in Missouri. The Green Tree is transferring to the Ste. Geneviève National Historic Park. Open seasonally. Read more…

Harold’s Famous Bee Co. – Where a Market Street Storefront, Patent-Approved Bee Venom Therapy, and Artisan Honey Create Sainte Geneviève’s Sweetest Science Most honey shops sell jars of golden sweetness and maybe a few beeswax candles. Harold’s Famous Bee Co. certainly offers that—local honey for sampling and purchase, rotating selections from different regional suppliers each week, and the kind of artisan honey products that elevate the simple bee into a symbol of nature’s pharmaceutical genius. But what distinguishes Harold’s from every other honey vendor in Missouri (and perhaps the nation) is their flagship product: Harold’s Famous Bee Cream, the only patent-approved formulation that harnesses the healthy benefits of honey bee venom to effectively soothe joints, muscles, and dry, rough skin. This isn’t folk remedy passed down through generations or alternative medicine making unverifiable claims. This is patented science extracting venom from honey bees through a unique method that causes no harm to the bees, then formulating that venom into topical cream that customers swear provides relief that conventional treatments couldn’t match. Located at 234 Market Street in downtown Sainte Geneviève’s historic district, Harold’s Famous Bee Co. occupies the intersection of traditional apiculture (beekeeping), modern pharmaceutical science, artisan food production, and Read more…

Sainte Geneviève Holiday Christmas Festival Two Days of Music, History, and Celebration in Missouri’s Oldest Town Every first weekend of December, Sainte Geneviève transforms into what AAA Magazine has recognized as one of the top two Christmas celebrations in the entire Midwest. The annual Holiday Christmas Festival fills Missouri’s oldest town with a remarkable two-day program that spans more than 700 years of holiday music—from Renaissance sacred works to contemporary jazz—all performed in historic churches, galleries, and gathering spaces throughout the downtown district. With one of the state’s largest parades, elegant historical receptions, hands-on craft experiences, and French colonial holiday traditions, this free community celebration has grown over four decades into an event that draws visitors from across the region while remaining authentically rooted in Sainte Geneviève’s unique cultural heritage. A Festival Built on Generosity and Community Spirit Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the Holiday Christmas Festival is what it costs to attend: nothing. Nearly every event across the entire weekend—from world-class musical performances to craft workshops, from the parade to Santa photos, from historical programming to art exhibitions—is completely free. This generosity reflects Sainte Geneviève’s community values and the festival’s purpose: sharing the town’s historic character and holiday Read more…

Celebrate the sweet bounty of Missouri’s beekeeping heritage at the annual Honey Festival + Market, a delightful community gathering sponsored by Harold’s Famous Bee Company. This beloved event transforms historic downtown Ste. Genevieve’s Market Street into a vibrant celebration of all things honey, bringing together families, friends, and honey enthusiasts for a day of discovery, flavor, and fun. Traditionally held the last weekend in June, this year’s festival was moved to the first weekend in October, offering visitors the chance to enjoy this sweet celebration amid the beautiful fall season along the Mississippi River. A Festival for the Whole Family Running from 10am to 4pm on Saturday in June or October, Market Street comes alive with the sights, sounds, and tastes that make this festival a highlight of Ste. Genevieve’s event calendar. Live music fills the air, creating a festive atmosphere as you explore everything this unique celebration has to offer. Honey in All Its Forms At the heart of the festival is, of course, honey itself. Discover the remarkable variety of local honey, from delicate wildflower varieties to robust buckwheat and everything in between. Learn about the subtle flavor differences that come from different nectar sources and seasons. Sample Read more…