Area
Established by 1750, Ste. Geneviève was the first permanent European settlement in Missouri. Early French Canadian settlers were drawn here by the rich agricultural land known as Le Grand Champ (the Big Field). After the flood of 1785, the town relocated to its present location on higher ground approximately three miles to the northwest of its original site.
The weather in Ste. Genevieve is typical of a midwestern climate. High heat and humidity, severe thunderstorms, snow and ice, and extreme cold are all possible depending upon the season. The average high in July is 88 degrees and the average low in January is 22 degrees. The area averages 41 inches of precipitation annually. Please plan your visit accordingly.
Entrance fee is $0.00.
There is no entrance fee to visit Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park.
From St. Louis and points north, take Interstate 55 S to exit 154, follow US-61 S for about 7 miles, make a left on Market Street. From Cape Girardeau and points south, take Interstate 55 N to exit 150, follow state route 32 until it ends at US-61, continue straight. From southern Illinois, you can also take the Ste. Genevieve - Modoc Ferry across the Mississippi. Please visit http://stegenmodocferry.com/ for hours and rates.
