Ste. Marie, IL

Ste. Marie is a quiet, close-knit village tucked along the Embarras River in southeastern Jasper County, about ten minutes southeast of Newton. Founded by French immigrants in the 1830s, the town still carries a distinctive heritage centered around the historic St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church. Life here is peaceful and distinctly rural, surrounded by river bluffs, wooded bottomlands, and rolling farm fields that define the southeastern Illinois countryside.

Because commercial growth and county offices centered in Newton over the years, Ste. Marie has stayed small and unhurried. Locals enjoy a peaceful neighborhood feel with virtually no traffic, making it a calm landing spot for anyone looking for quiet country living. When you need groceries, schools, or healthcare, Newton is just a short drive up the road, with larger hubs like Robinson and Olney within easy reach for broader shopping and commute options. It offers a relaxed, neighborly pace of life backed by a long local history.