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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Annika Aigbefoh,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Abbeville, LA sell after 124 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Abbeville, LA over the last 12 months is $190,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
BRAND-NEW Custom-Built Home by MANUAL BUILDERS, LLC. Must see the cypress wood gable front door entrance, custom cabinets and large island with walk-in pantry, stainless electric range and dishwasher included. Exquisite matching light fixtures and ceiling fans throughout the home. Formal dining, living area features three large windows to view out at the countryside. Master ensuite features a
Charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home located just minutes from downtown! Featuring a 4-year-old roof for peace of mind, this home also offers a convenient carport for covered parking. Whether you're looking for easy access to shopping, dining, or entertainment, this property puts you right in the heart of it all. Perfect for a starter home or investment opportunity!
Sitting on a spacious 1/2-acre lot, this beautifully updated 2-story home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a dedicated office space. The open floorplan creates an inviting flow, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The master suite features a private balcony, offering a peaceful retreat. Updates throughout the home add modern comfort, and the roof is only 4 years old for peace of
BRAND-NEW Custom-Built Home by MANUAL BUILDERS, LLC. Must see the cypress wood gable front door entrance, custom cabinets and large island with walk-in pantry, stainless electric range and dishwasher included. Exquisite matching light fixtures and ceiling fans throughout the home. Formal dining, living area features three large windows to view out at the countryside. Master ensuite features a
Charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home located just minutes from downtown! Featuring a 4-year-old roof for peace of mind, this home also offers a convenient carport for covered parking. Whether you're looking for easy access to shopping, dining, or entertainment, this property puts you right in the heart of it all. Perfect for a starter home or investment opportunity!
Sitting on a spacious 1/2-acre lot, this beautifully updated 2-story home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, plus a dedicated office space. The open floorplan creates an inviting flow, perfect for everyday living and entertaining. The master suite features a private balcony, offering a peaceful retreat. Updates throughout the home add modern comfort, and the roof is only 4 years old for peace of
Property Id: 1142125Bad Credit? - NO PROBLEM!!Serious inquiries only. AVAILABLE NOW!!!Newly renovated/updated. All new Luxurious, Large 2 bed, 1 bath, 2nd floor apartment in downtown Abbeville. Walking distance to everything. FREE WIFI, stainless steel appliances, refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave and kitchen island, central air/heat. Granite
Very well-maintained home for rent on large corner lot just about a half mile west of Downtown Abbeville! This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with open kitchen, living and dining area also features a single carport, covered patio, outdoor kitchen, storage and whole house generator!
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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