Acadiana Area Parishes

Louisiana was officially Roman Catholic under both France and Spain's rule. The boundaries dividing the territories generally coincided with church parishes. In 1807, the territorial legislature officially adopted the ecclesiastical term. Through each change in her history, Louisiana never deviated, and the primary civil divisions have been officially known as parishes instead of counties ever since.

Lafayette Parish

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Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, located along the Vermilion River in the southwestern part of the state. The city of Lafayette is the fourth-largest in the state, with a population of 126,143 according to 2018 U.S. Census estimates.

Cultural organizations include the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra and Conservatory of Music, Chorale Acadienne, Lafayette Ballet Theatre and Dance Conservatory, The Lafayette Concert Band, and Performing Arts Society of Acadiana; as well as the Paul and Lulu Hilliard University Art Museum and the Acadiana Center for the Arts.

The Lafayette area is home to multiple sports venues: Blackham Coliseum, Cajundome, Cajun Field, Earl K. Long Gymnasium, Evangeline Downs, Youngsville Sport Complex and the Broussard Sports Complex at St. Julien Park.

There are many places to visit. A few popular events include the Cajun Heartland State Fair, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, Festival International de Louisiane, and Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette.

Iberia Parish

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Iberia Parish is a coastal parish located in Louisiana.

This was one of the sugar parishes, where sugar cane plantations were developed along the waterways before and after the Civil War. It was a lucrative commodity crop for planters. Sugar continues to be an important commodity crop and Iberia produces the most sugar of any parish in the state.

The parish has both Shell Keys National Wildlife Refuge and Attakapas Wildlife Management Area protected within its borders.

Jefferson Davis Parish

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Jefferson Davis Parish is located in Louisiana.

Jefferson Davis Parish was one of the last parishes to be organized in the state of Louisiana. It was originally a part of Imperial Calcasieu Parish, which contributed to five other parishes as the population increased in the area.

The first oil well in Louisiana was drilled in 1901 in Evangeline, Acadia Parish, by W. Scott Heywood, who in 1932 was elected to the Louisiana State Senate. The oil field was known as the Jennings Oil Field because Jennings was the nearest railroad stop to the oil field.

The Jennings Carnegie Public Library in Jennings, Louisiana, United States was built in 1908 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 8, 1982.

Acadia Parish

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Acadia Parish is located in Louisiana.

The parish seat is Crowley. The parish was founded from parts of St. Landry Parish in 1886, and later an election was held to determine the parish seat, ending when Crowley beat Rayne and Prairie Hayes.

No trip to Acadia Parish would be complete without dining at its Cajun restaurants. Enjoy the food, music, theaters, golf courses, and antique stores.

And this spring, head to Rayne, the Frog Capital of Louisiana, for their annual Frog Festival packed with live music, food and drink, signature frog racing and jumping contests, Arts & Crafts show, Frog Cookoff, Frog Eating contest, Dance contest, Accordian contest, and the Grand Parade. In the fall, Crowley hosts the annual Rice Festival packed with events, live music, arts and crafts, carnival rides and more.

St. Landry Parish

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St. Landry Parish is located in South Central Louisiana.

In 1807, when the territory was reorganized into parishes, Opelousas was designated the seat of St. Landry Parish.

The city of Opelousas has been the seat of government for St. Landry Parish since its formation. After Baton Rouge fell to the Union troops during the Civil War in 1862, Opelousas became the state capital for nine months. The capital was moved again in 1863, this time to Shreveport when Union troops occupied Opelousas.

Join in the fun at the annual Opelousas Spice & Music Festival with live music, events, and the wonderful Cajun food!

St. Martin Parish

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St. Martin Parish is located south central Louisiana.

St. Martin Parish includes a large portion of the Atchafalaya Basin. Additionally the Bayou Teche runs through the Parish. Many years ago the Bayou Teche was used to ship products to New Orleans.

St. Martin Parish has a wealth of oak and magnolia trees. St. Martin has both national and state protected areas within its borders; Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge and Attakapas Wildlife Management Area.

Vermilion Parish

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Vermilion Parish is a coastal parish located in Louisiana.

World-renown Cajun cooking is a wonderful part of the heritage here and there's plenty of great restaurants in Vermilion Parish to showcase it. The proximity to the Gulf of Mexico also means there is an abundance in fresh seafood for the amazing cuisine.

Vermilion Parish is a part of America's WETLAND Birding Trail. The America's WETLAND Birding Trail helps visitors explore some of Louisiana's most productive natural habitats along the coast and expose them to some of the best birding in the country.It is the fifth-largest parish in Louisiana by total area. The Gulf of Mexico is located on the south boundary of the parish.

Greater Lafayette Area, LA Area Map