Coordinates
Buras-Triumph, LA 70041.
Near the actual 1682 site.
Claiming the Basin
Cavelier
De La Salle.
Buras-Triumph, Louisiana
Est. 1682 • Dedicated 1967
The 1682 Claim
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, was the first European to travel the entire length of the Mississippi River to its mouth. At this site in April 1682, he claimed the vast territory for France, naming it "Louisiana" after King Louis XIV.
Historical Impact: This single act defined the geopolitical map of North America for nearly two centuries.
Bronze Narrative
Dedicated on April 9, 1967, the monument features a bronze plaque with a bas-relief likeness of La Salle holding the claim document. Behind him, a map of the Gulf Coast illustrates the scope of his explorations.
Plaquemines Parish
Visitor Protocol
Access Level
Free / 24 Hours. Quaint outdoor landmark suitable for quiet reflection.
Proximity
Near historic Fort Jackson, a key site in local history.
Legacy: La Louisiane
Marking the expansion of an empire