Afton Villa Gardens

Afton Villa Gardens, located in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is a historic and enchanting garden renowned for its captivating beauty and rich history. The beautiful gardens of Afton Villa once surrounded an epic gothic antebellum mansion that was destroyed in a fire during the 1960’s.

Afton Villa's story is a succession of six families who have owned and loved it through over a century and a half, all of whom have contributed something to its beauty and in turn have left something of themselves – their vision, hopes, sorrows, joys, tragedies. Originally begun in 1849, Afton Villa was a grand estate renowned for its classic Southern charm. Over the years, the estate’s gardens evolved into a sprawling oasis, carefully curated to blend the old-world grandeur of the mansion with the vibrant colors and textures of a flourishing garden. A fire destroyed the gothic plantation in 1963, which led to the estate’s abandonment and a second period of decline for the gardens. Concerned that the land would be purchased by developers, Genevieve and Morrell “Bud” Trimble acquired the property in 1972 restoring its gardens. They also converted the ruins of the mansion to a garden, restored the Parterre, and added other highlights such as the Music Room, Daffodil Valley, and The Pond. Afton Villa was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Today, these gardens stand as a testament to timeless elegance and meticulous care, providing an idyllic backdrop for your most cherished moments.

The estate contains over 20 acres of formal gardens and pleasure grounds, including the famous ruins gardens, a formal parterre garden, a daffodil valley, a historic family cemetery, and more. Visitors to Afton Villa Gardens wander through a diverse array of flora, including azaleas, camellias, and majestic oak trees that create a picturesque setting. The gardens are especially renowned for their vibrant displays of azaleas during the spring season, attracting nature enthusiasts, photographers, and history buffs alike.