Bocage Plantation is an outstanding antebellum mansion on the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans situated among some of the other most distinguished houses of its type. It has been updated with the conveniences of modern life and simultaneously lends itself to a wide range of life styles ranging from relaxed country living to elegant formal entertaining. Its 100+ acres of grounds buffer it from surrounding development while its proximity to two of Louisiana's largest cities and airports give it easy accessibility to the rest of the United States and the world. But it is really much more than that.

It is an historic site that represents a major piece in the history of the development of Louisiana and the center of the United States drained by the Mississippi River. It was built at a time when entrepreneurs were venturing up the River to seek their fortunes by planting indigo, sugar cane and cotton along its wilderness banks. Bocage, like most plantation houses, started as a simple cottage, but was expanded and remodeled to reflect growing prosperity. Family members fought in the War of 1812 in the Battle of New Orleans with Andrew Jackson and in the Civil War. Like many of the time, they made fortunes and lost fortunes with changes in weather and economic conditions. During the Great Depression of 1929 the property fell into disrepair. While many of the other great houses of the era have disappeared due to the ravages of economics, time and fire, Bocage has survived and has been preserved.

Bocage has been owned by the family of the current owners for over sixty years. During this time it has been restored, preserved, lived in and enjoyed. For many reasons, however, the owners believe that it is time to pass the property on to others.

The history, architecture and significance of Bocage have been well documented in many publications. We encourage you to look at some of those referenced at the end of this site.

The original architecture of Bocage reflected the French Colonial, West Indies, raised cottage style which was well suited to the lower Mississippi region with its high humidity and frequent floods. The walls of the first floor were plastered brick with a wooden structure above.

The house was redesigned in 1837 by the famous Greek revival architect, James Dakin. Dakin was born in Duchess County, NY but eventually migrated to New Orleans where he designed and built many prominent buildings. He added a facade which hides the roof peaks, eight square plastered brick columns, the carved dentil course encircling the entablature, the inantis rear porch and sophisticated details along with interior plaster moldings. Dakin was also the architect of the Old Louisiana State Capital in Baton Rouge.

The remodeling of Bocage and the construction of Ashland Belle Helene marked for the first time the adaptation of the traditional Louisiana house to the Greek Revival. Published books detailing classical architectural design of doors, windows, mantels and even whole houses were used in the 19th century to spread sophisticated designs from cities to countryside in the United States. Interestingly, these books were not used prior to this in Louisiana outside of New Orleans. Plate 26 of Minard Lafever's Beauties of Modern Architecture, published in New York in 1832, was used as the model for the Bocage parlor door frames, and Plate 21 was copied for the parlor centerpieces.

Bocage has about 7,400 square feet including porches and verandas. The second floor ceilings are 14 feet high. The downstairs floor is marble. The upstairs floors are stained cypress. All walls are plastered. The house has central heat and air conditioning.

Bocage Plantation was used as a set for the making of the movie, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, starring Cecily Tyson.

Bocage Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Foundations for the old Bocage Plantation Sugar Mill are on the property.

Additional information on Bocage and its furnishings can be found in numerous books, articles and web sites including the following:

• The Majesty of the River Road by Lee & Paul Malone
• Louisiana Plantation Homes by Lee & Paul Malone
• Plantation Homes of Louisiana and the Natchez Area by David King Gleason
• Vestiges of Grandeur, the Plantations of Louisiana's River Road by Richard Sexton
• Architecture of the Old South, Louisiana by Miles Lane
• The River Road Plantations of Louisiana by William Nathaniel Banks
• Plantation Parade: The Grand Manner in Louisiana by Harnett T. Kane
• All This in Louisiana by Frances Parkinson Keys
• Ghosts Along The Mississippi by Clarence John Laughin
• Louisiana Plantation Homes: Colonial and Ante Bellum by W. Darrel Overdyke
• Mississippi Valley Architecture: Houses of the Lower Mississippi Valley by Stanley Schuler
• James Dakin, Architect by Arthur Scully, Jr.
• Early Louisiana Armoires by Jessie J. Poesch, Antique Magazine, August 1998
• Furniture of the River Road Plantations in Louisiana by Jesse J. Poesch, Antiques Magazine, June 1977
• The Bringier-Tureaud Union Story @ www.tureaud.com_union.htm

Bocage Plantation is being offered for sale by the owners at a price of $5,500,000. While price realized from the sale of Bocage will be important, selling it to someone who will continue to preserve and enjoy it will also be an important consideration of the sale. Please contact Milan J. Turk at 203-966-0521 for full terms of the sale.