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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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
Teresa Rainey,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Abbeville, LA sell after 124 days on the market compared to the national average of 54 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.
Have the best of Both Worlds with this home! Zoned for the highly desired Maurice school district, but sitting in Abbeville, you get affordability, space, massive backyard, plus quick access to Lafayette. If public schools aren't for your family.......no worries, the NEW VERMILION CHARTER ACADEMY is only 8 minutes away! Built by the popular DSLD builders, this home features a very functional
This charming cottage has been placed on the market as an investment property. Perfect for a homebuyer or investor. Offering 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and apx. 1065 sqft with a nice sized fenced yard. This home does require work and therefore is available to cash and conventional buyers only.
This home is partially remodeled and ready for someone to finish it out. It comes with a new roof, new windows, new interior wall layout for a modern floor plan, and a brand-new sewage system. The major work is already done -- now it just needs the final finishes. The purchase includes at no value, all subflooring needed for completion. Great opportunity for investors or anyone wanting to
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
Lovely updated three-bedroom cottage is a wonderful home on a large lot with trees to shade your back porch. LOTS of living area and nice updates in an ''Open concept'' kitchen/living area! Stainless steel appliances. Water-proof wood laminate throughout the entire home...NO CARPET! New PEX plumbing installed! Central AC and heat
Cozy, Low-Maintenance 2 bed, 2 bath home offering 1,186 square feet of living space with a functional and open layout. Exterior features include vinyl siding, a recently replaced shingle roof, new flooring in the living area, and an updated cooling system. The enclosed single-car garage provides secure parking along with easy access to the backyard.The property offers a nicely sized fenced rear
Investor/builder special!! 6 contiguous city lots measuring 66.8' X 120' each and 200.4' X 240' overall with 3 lots fronting on S Young Street and 3 lots fronting on S Bailey Street. These lots are mostly cleared and ready to build with the exception of a few trees on 2 lots. Bring or build your homes and take advantage of this currently active rental market! All lots to be sold as a package. The
Your next homesite! Check out these amazing lots in the heart of Abbeville, right on the Vermilion River. Gorgeous 2.5 acre lot ready for your private estate. +/- 200 feet of frontage on the Vermilion river. These tracts are centrally located in Abbeville, right off US 167, providing easy access into Abbeville, Maurice, Lafayette and surrounding areas. Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a
Unique opportunity to build in the well-established residential neighborhood of Mount Carmel Heights located within a block of the Vermilion Catholic ''A Legacy of Mount Carmel'' school campus! Enjoy those Friday night lights with a view of Eagle Stadium and be just a short distance from great restaurants and just a few blocks from Historic Downtown Abbeville and all that it has to offer!
Century old Victorian home in the Abbeville Residential Historic District with frontage on the Vermilion River!! This 3,308 sf+- home was built in the early 1900's when wood was WOOD and Cypress was king! ''Great bones'', 12' ceilings, large moldings and casings with rosettes and plinth blocks throughout. As you come up the brick steps onto the deep front porch, you'll enter the long, wide foyer
Sprawling French Chateau style home in the heart of Abbeville on the Vermillion River.This unique home is located in an exclusive Live Oak tree-lined neighborhood, (LIVE OAK GARDENSUBDIVISION), close to Godchaux Park. The spacious custom-built home was designed byarchitect John Ellis, inspired by the Royal Orleans Hotel in New Orleans.This home is ideal for entertaining. A MUST SEE!!!
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 home to this cozy Acadian-style retreat nestled on over an acre in picturesque Abbeville, LA--with direct frontage to slip your boat right into the beautiful Vermilion River! This 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom gem offers a spacious 2,828 sqft split floor plan designed for peace, privacy, and plenty of room to gather. Enjoy a warm, open-concept living area with a double-sided fireplace at the
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
