St. Landry Parish

St. Landry Parish is an administrative district in southern Louisiana with Opelousas as its hub. The area spreads across farmland, waterways, and communities that define the landscape of this part of the state.

The parish was established in 1807 from a French trading post that later became the governmental center for Southwest Louisiana. The region played an important role during the Civil War when circumstances changed the course of state governance.

French, Spanish, Creole, Cajun, and African American traditions shape how people here celebrate and eat together. You can feel these influences woven into local music, food, and the way communities come together through the year.

The area is shaped by farming, with rice, soybeans, and sugarcane grown on its fertile land. Visitors should expect a rural setting where agricultural work shapes the rhythm of daily life.

In 1862, the parish briefly became the seat of state government due to wartime circumstances. This unusual role shows how even a rural district can suddenly take on unexpected responsibilities.

Location: Louisiana

Inception: 1807

Capital city: Opelousas

Shares border with: Avoyelles Parish, Pointe Coupee Parish, St. Martin Parish, Lafayette Parish, Acadia Parish, Evangeline Parish

Website: http://stlandryparishgovernment.org

GPS coordinates: 30.60000,-92.00000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:21