Abbeville has been known for its marshland, agriculture and seafood for centuries. Oyster fishers first put the city on the map in the 19th century when they sold their harvests along the Vermilion River. The fishing industry has since slowed down, and food processing, healthcare, and oil now provide many local jobs. Just over 11,000 people live in Abbeville, and as some residents leave for Lafayette and other large cities, new faces are coming in for the area’s culture and lifestyle. “When people are moving to Abbeville and they aren’t from the area, they’re usually from somewhere similar like New Orleans or Florida and want a similar feel with a slower pace,” says Amanda Peacock, an associate with Re/Max Acadiana and a Vermilion Parish native.
The historic town of Abbeville was founded in 1850.
Abbeville is a mix of commercial and residential areas.
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Dupuy’s has served fresh oysters for over 150 years
Even as Abbeville’s fishing industry has slowed, local restaurants still serve some of the region's freshest oysters, shrimp and crawfish. "If I want to eat seafood, I'm going to Abbeville. You have all the crawfish farmers and shrimpers here, and it's so fresh," Peacock says. Some of the longest-running seafood eateries are in the Abbeville Commercial Historic District on the west side of the city, including RiverFront, Shucks and Dupuy's Seafood and Steak, which has been serving oysters since 1869. These restaurants are all just down the street from Steen's Syrup, a century-old, still-operating cane syrup and molasses plant. "When I get home, and the wind blows in the right direction, and they're making the syrup, you can smell it," Peacock says. "For anyone living in the area, it's the smell of home." The east side of the city has more big box stores, including Lowe’s and Walmart on Veterans Memorial Drive.
SHUCKS! Has served fresh seafood in Abbeville since 1994.
Dupuy's Seafood and Steak has been serving oysters since 1869 in Abbeville.
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Concerts, theatre and omelets at Magdalen Square
St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church anchors the Abbeville Commercial Historic District. The church was established in 1842 by Père Antoine Désiré Mégret, the founder of Abbeville. The adjacent Magdalen Square is a venue for many of the city’s annual events, including the “Sounds on the Square” concert series and the Giant Omelette Celebration in November, which culminates in dozens of chefs pouring 5,000 eggs into a 12-foot skillet to prepare an enormous omelet. The Abbey Players theater is next to Magdalen Square. The theatre group produces five performances a year, including a summer youth production.
Get a dozen raw oysters at SHUCKS! In Abbeville.
Abbeville’s historic downtown centers around the Vermilion Parish Courthouse.
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Abbeville’s restored historic cottages
Abbeville’s history as an industry town can be seen everywhere, from its shops and restaurants to its homes. Many properties are restored cottages from the early 20th century, and new manufactured homes are another option. The median home price in Abbeville is $146,000, compared to the Lafayette median of $237,500. On average, Abbeville properties leave the market after 101 days, more than twice the national average.
Restored cottages are popular in Abbeville.
Ranch style homes can be found when looking to move to Abbeville.
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The Lafayette area’s top elementary schools
Vermilion Parish School District has an A-minus grade on Niche. Seventh Ward Elementary School and Eaton Park Elementary School are A-minus-rated and in Niche’s top five elementary schools in the Lafayette area. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is the closest four-year school and is known for its francophone studies programs.
Seventh Ward Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
Eaton Park Elementary School is an A- rated school on Niche.
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Birding and kayaking through the Bayou Vermilion
Comeaux Park on the south side of the city is one of Abbeville’s main parks, with sports fields, a walking track, and a skate park. Around the city, Vermilion Parish’s swamps, old oaks and wildlife have created a growing outdoor tourism industry. Birders travel through Abbeville and down to Pecan Island to catch a glimpse of Mississippi Kites, broad-winged Hawks and other Cajun Country-native birds. Boaters can fish and explore along the Vermilion River or on the Bayou Vermilion Paddle Trail near Lafayette.
Swamps near Abbeville have helped create a growing outdoor tourism industry.
Canoe through the lagoons and ponds of Palmetto Island State Park.
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Direct highway access to Lafayette
U.S. Highway 167 connects Abbeville to Lafayette, while Veterans Memorial Drive links to other Vermilion Parish cities like Kaplan and Erath. Lafayette Regional Airport, 22 miles away, offers domestic commercial flights. While Abbeville has no widespread public transportation, Vermilion Public Transit has on-demand bus services.
Abbeville’s heavy rains, floods and hurricanes
Abbeville has hot, humid summers and cool, windy winters. Heavy rainfall year-round, especially in the summer, causes frequent flooding and damage to homes, roads and sewer systems. The area has a history of hurricanes, including Hurricane Francine in 2024 and Hurricane Delta in 2020. The Abbeville Police Department revealed to the FBI that assault, burglary and theft were the city’s most reported crimes in 2022. Between 2021 and 2022, theft increased by 2%, burglary decreased by 44%, and assault decreased by 18%.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Photography Contributed By
Andrew Williams
Video By
Samantha Houtchens
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Reach out to
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Custom Home on 6.7 Acres | Pool | Shop | RV/Boat Storage | Move-In ReadyIdeally located just minutes from Lafayette, Maurice, and Abbeville, with convenient access to Acadiana Regional Airport, this stunning custom home offers the perfect blend of country privacy and accessibility.Situated on 6.764 acres, this meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home (3,129 sq ft) features a flexible
Beautiful 7.322 acre parcel overlooking the Vermilion River. Mostly cleared with some mature trees. Breathtaking views with approximately 300 feet of river frontage. Power ran and septic in place. Build your dream home, today!
Spacious and full of charm, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath home sits on 2.2 acres, offering the perfect blend of comfort, functionality, and outdoor living. Inside, you'll find a well-designed layout with ample space for both everyday living and entertaining. Step outside to enjoy everything this property has to offer, cool off in the above ground pool, host gatherings in the outdoor kitchen, or take
Enjoy a recently renovated 3 bedroom, 1 and a half bathroom home in a Vermillion Parish with a country feel! The integrated living, dining, and kitchen spaces maximize every square foot, providing a bright and versatile layout. Outside, the generous acreage serves as a private canvas for your outdoor vision. Ideally located with easy access to both Abbeville and Kaplan, this home is a rare find
Welcome to this beautifully updated Energy Smart home located within the Cecil Picard Elementary and North Vermilion High School districts. This spacious 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits on an oversized lot and features a widened driveway, fresh paint throughout, and gorgeous porcelain wood-look tile flooring. The open floor plan creates a seamless flow through the living, kitchen, and dining
Welcome to Bryan's Towne a Development with Large Lots located minutes from Meaux Elementary, a New Charter Academy, and N. Vermillion High. This Modern Farmhouse has 4 Beds 2.5 Bath in a Open Split Plan. All Homes will feature Our Designer Ceilings, Moldings, Pro Craft Cabinets, Tempstar AC, Vinyl Plank, Porcelain Tile, and Energy Efficient Appliances. Call To Pick Your Colors and/or Modify this
Great investment opportunity in Abbeville! This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home offers tons of potential for the right buyer looking to maximize returns.Featuring high ceilings throughout, the home has an open and airy feel with a solid foundation to build on. With the right vision and updates, this property could truly shine.Perfect for investors looking to add to their portfolio, this home is ideally
Adorable cottage-style home in Abbeville offering charm, space, and value! This move-in ready property features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a spacious 1,592 square feet of comfortable living space.Step inside to find fresh updates including brand-new flooring, creating a modern and inviting feel throughout. The kitchen offers a cozy breakfast bar--perfect for casual dining, morning coffee, or
Paradise awaits in this stunning waterfront sanctuary located only 30 minutes south of Lafayette. The Cove at Live Oak offers 22 individual lots with fully bulk headed private canals, boat landing, onsite fuel, mile long boardwalk, pavilion with dock...all within a private, gated community. Every lot has waterfront access to the fully bulk headed canal and is minutes away from the Vermilion Bay
WELCOME HOME to this charming, beautifully maintained traditional-style residence. Step into a light-filled living room featuring wood floors, built-in bookcases, and large front windows with classic interior wood shutters.The dining room offers an inviting space for gatherings, while the spacious kitchen is well-equipped with a gas range/oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator--ready for everyday
Situated on just over 4 acres, this property offers the ideal combination of space, functionality, and readiness for your next build.A concrete house pad is already in place, saving you time and expense as you bring your vision to life. The property also features a 30x40 shop, perfect for storage, equipment, hobbies, or a future workspace.With sewer and electricity already on site, much of the
Updated double wide, move in ready! Large covered front porch with carport. Walk in and be amazed with the spacious floor plan. Two Living room areas, two dining areas (one has a built-in hutch/storage), large kitchen with pantry, stainless appliances, breakfast bar seating area and an abundance of storage space. Primary ensuite with double vanity, separate tub, oversized shower and walk-in
Welcome home to Stone Bridge Apartment homes in charming Abbeville, Louisiana. Our modern apartment home community is in close proximity to Highway 14, south of Lafayette. We are just minutes away from southern dining, shopping, and exciting entertainment venues.
Welcome to this three-bedroom, two-bath home located in the Abbeville countryside with convenient access to Lafayette. This patio home features an open-concept layout with vaulted ceilings that create a spacious feel throughout the living and dining areas.The split floor plan offers added privacy, with a spacious primary suite and large en-suite bath. All bedrooms include walk-in closets,
Property Id: 1744434Luxurious, previous Airbnb fully furnished, Large 2 bed, 1 bath, 1st floor apartment in downtown Abbeville. Includes all you see, TVs, pots, pans appliances. Walking distance to everything. FREE WIFI, stainless steel appliances, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave, coffee bar, kitchen island, dining table and chairs,ALL furnishings. Granite countertops,
1301 Maude Avenue is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom single family residence. The property is sided with wood and has a metal roof. The interior walls are painted wood paneling. Flooring is original hardwood. The property is heated and cooled by a wall furnace and window unit.
411 Kibbe Rd Building 1 - Units # 1 and Unit #2 are two unit, two story duplex. Each unit has 1 bedroom and one bathroom. The bedroom and bathroom for each unit on the second floor. The interior walls and ceilings are drywall, and the exterior walls are concrete block. The floors are covered with vinyl tile. Each unit has a wall furnace and window unit air conditioning. Each unit has an exterior
411 Kibbe Rd Building 1 - Units # 1 and Unit #2 are two unit, two story duplex. Each unit has 1 bedroom and one bathroom. The bedroom and bathroom for each unit on the second floor. The interior walls and ceilings are drywall, and the exterior walls are concrete block. The floors are covered with vinyl tile. Each unit has a wall furnace and window unit air conditioning. Each unit has an exterior
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