Overview
Abbeville is a relaxed town in South Central Louisiana.
2 sights · 1 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Abbeville
St. Mary Magdalen Church
St. Mary Magdalen Parish parish goes back to 1842, but this particular Gothic church was built in 1911 after a fire consumed the previous one.
Palmetto Island State Park
A good place for swamp adventures.
The Acadian Museum of Erath LA
Miniscule museum on Acadian history.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jan. (climate data from nearby Baton Rouge)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LFT Lafayette Regional Airport, Lafayette — 18 mi away. Directions
- LCH Lake Charles Regional Airport, Lake Charles — 66 mi away. Directions
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 112 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Typical meal: about $40 per person at listed restaurants.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Acadian Museum of Erath LA, Palmetto Island State Park
- Lunch Dupuy's Seafood and Steak
- Afternoon St. Mary Magdalen Church
- Dinner SHUCKS!
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The area around Abbeville near the Vermillion River, once known as La Chapelle, started seeing Acadian settlers as early as 1766. Then Père Antoine Désiré Mégret purchased a lot in 1843 and named it Abbeville, which ironically means 'priest town' but also is the name of the town he originated from in France, so the etymology is a little uncertain. At any rate, he designed the town in the manner of a sleepy French village, and that is more or less its character today, with a central square, Magdalen Square, bearing his likeness in the form of a statue, and Gothic style churches, etc. Nonetheless, it has ties to Sammy Kershaw and is the home of the Giant Omelette Celebration.
See
Do
If you're a thrill-seeker or explorer, you can try out the Bayou Vermillion Paddle Trail which stretches from Lafayette to Abbeville along the Vermillion River, but you'll probably need your own kayak, canoe, etc.
Eat
Eat SHUCKS!
A popular restaurant featuring local seafood and drinks.
Eat Dupuy's Seafood and Steak
More seafood, but perhaps a little more refined.
Sleep
Or you could try camping at Palmetto Island State Park and take some measures so as to not become a delectable meal for the mosquitoes.
Nearby
Avery Island
City / town · 2 listings · 14 mi away
Lafayette
City / town · 40 listings · 18 mi away
New Iberia
City / town · 8 listings · 19 mi away
Rayne
City / town · 1 listings · 20 mi away
St. Martinville
City / town · 8 listings · 21 mi away
Church Point
City / town · 2 listings · 30 mi away
Henderson
City / town · 5 listings · 31 mi away
Jennings
City / town · 5 listings · 36 mi away
My experience
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