Discover Abbeville

Abbeville brings together themes suited to a range of travel interests: Acadian history, theater and music, park trails, and golf. When planning your stay, you can choose based on whether you’d most like to experience culture, spend time outdoors, or plan around an event.

History and Culture in Abbeville

In the center of Abbeville is the complex comprising St. Mary Magdalen Church, Rectory, and Cemetery. The church dates to 1911, the rectory to 1921, and the cemetery to around 1844. The three parts offer distinct historical points of reference and make the complex a specific destination for a history-focused visit.

The Acadian Centre Acadien exhibit focuses on the expulsion of Acadian families from Nova Scotia in 1755. Photographs and exhibits also cover how many of these families later settled in Louisiana. The exhibit is in English and French. It offers a way to learn about the historical subject through both its presentation of images and objects and its connection to Louisiana.

Another way to explore local history is through the Abbeville Cultural and Historical Alliance. An exhibit there features photographs, paintings, and memorabilia about Abbeville’s Giant Omelette Celebration. Exhibit content may change. Visitors interested in the city’s development and cultural traditions will find another perspective on local memories here.

Theater is also part of the city’s cultural offerings: Abbey Players is a community theater in South Louisiana that has been in operation since 1976. It is located at 200 South State St. in Abbeville. The Louisiana Military Museum features military exhibits, oral histories, Hall of Fame members, and historical memorabilia from Louisiana veterans.

Parks, Trails, and Golf

Magdalen Square is in the center of Abbeville. Large oak trees define the square, which also has a fountain and a gazebo. As a centrally located public space, the square offers a different kind of city experience from the trails in the parks.

The park trails differ in their features. Gertie Huntsberry Park has a walking trail as well as exercise and stretching stations. Lafitte Drive-In Park has a paved walking path. At Godchaux Park, a walking path winds through the shade of mature trees. These differences can help you choose a park based on what you’re looking for during your time outdoors.

Golf is another activity: Southern Oaks Country Club in Abbeville is a public 18-hole golf course. Alongside walking and hiking trails, it provides a clearly defined sporting option, while the city’s green spaces offer a different way to spend time outdoors.

Events and Music

The events calendar includes several recurring dates. The city’s Daylily Fest takes place annually over Memorial Day weekend. At the Giant Omelette Celebration, an omelet made with more than 5,000 eggs is prepared in early November to celebrate French heritage. The Sounds on the Square concert series takes place every year in spring and fall. If you’d like to plan your trip around one of these dates, check the event schedule before departure.

For live music, Le Bayou Legendaire in the former Richard Sale Barn is another venue to visit. It offers music in a smoke-free listening environment where audiences can interact with performers. As performances are scheduled, it’s a good idea to check the dates before visiting.

Local guided tours are offered in French and English for groups of ten or more. Arrange them before your trip. This makes it possible to include a tour in your plans if the group size and available language suit your visit.

A Look at a Local Production Tradition

Sugarcane syrup production is also associated with Abbeville. C.S. Steen Syrup Mill produces pure cane syrup in an open kettle, continuing a method passed down for five generations. For travelers interested in regional products and how they’re made, as well as history and events, this offers an additional perspective on the city’s culture. Together, the historic sites, park trails, music events, and production tradition offer different ways to shape your stay around your own interests.

For the broader travel overview: Vermilion.