St. Mary Parish is southeast of Lafayette and northwest of New Orleans, nestled between the Atchafalaya River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico. The parish was created in 1811 when Attakapas County was split into two separate parishes by the Legislature of the New Orleans Territory. St. Mary Parish is rich in agriculture, seafood and industry. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this diverse parish. Antebellum homes, swamp gardens, swamp tours, an aviation museum, festivals and fairs are just the start.