Grand Chenier

Description

Have you ever heard of a Chenier? The word means oak place. The oaks here were propagated by the Native Americans for their acorns as a food source and by early government officials for their curved limbs which were useful in making hulls for boats and ships. Over time Chenier’s have come to refer to not just the trees, but to the sandy ancient beach ridges formed by wave action, offshore currents. Chenier’s are a unique feature of the northern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico. It is said that this is only one of four places in the world where Chenier’s exist. Chenier’s are generally only 10 feet or less above sea level, but this critical extra height makes it dry enough for homes and roads. You will notice how the winds off the Gulf have shaped many of the trees with their trunks bent and canopies swept back from the sea--creating wind sculptures. Grand Chenier, of course, is a large Chenier!