Retire in Breaux Bridge

Bon Temps et Bon Amis, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana is the place to be.  For toe-tappin’, lip smackin’, ol’ fashioned fun, our little town has something for everyone!

Nestled on the banks of the Bayou Teche, Breaux Bridge is a unique community filled with "Joie de Vivre" (Joy of Life). We know no strangers – everyone here is family!  We welcome people with open arms and a wealth of information regarding the area's beginnings. Our history and culture are like no other: restaurants, antiques, boutiques, music, festivals, art, and so much more!

History of the Area

Located in the heart of St. Martin Parish, Breaux Bridge was founded in 1859 by Scholastique Picou Breaux.  A determined Acadian woman, Scholastique drew up “Plan de la Ville Du Pont des Breaux” (the plan for the Village of Breaux Bridge), which included a detailed map of the area and a diagram of streets. She developed the area by selling land lots to other Acadian settlers. In 1847, a church parish was created and 12 years later, the area was officially incorporated. In 1959 Breaux Bridge took out all the stops for our Centennial Celebration, which included festivities honoring our founder and celebrating our culture.

Over the years, Breaux Bridge has received attention for many things. Obviously our food and charm are at the top of the list, but did you know that we are known for is our unusual listing of nicknames in our telephone directory. Also noteworthy is our alias, Crawfish Capital of the World, a designation obtained by former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Robert J. "Bob" Angelle. Additionally, we host the annual Crawfish Festival, a weekend long celebration of the little crustaceans packed with music, food, entertainment and of course, lots of crawfish. Fun fact: Breaux Bridge was the first to serve crawfish in a restaurant.

Why is Breaux Bridge perfect for a Retirement Community?

The answer is plain and simple, just like our way of life. Breaux Bridge is an area where you can feel safe; an area you can easily navigate; and most importantly, an area where you can meet great people and get involved in many community events. Breaux Bridge has several civic organizations who welcome volunteers to assist with fund raisers throughout the year. We have park facilities with walking paths, restrooms, trees, and picnic areas. In addition to these everyday gems, we hold annual activities along the Bayou Teche including community running events, special events for our furry friends, the Jambalaya Cook-Off, the Rice & Gravy Cook-Off, Shake your Trail Feathers, Tunes on the Teche, and the world renowned Crawfish Festival held in Parc Hardy the first full weekend in May.

The City of Breaux Bridge is advantageously located for a whole range of amenities for the retirement demographic. Our rich cultural heritage is alive and thriving!  Our quality of life is desirably recognized and noted nationally, regionally, and within Louisiana as one of the top small towns to live in, conduct business in, and to visit. 

In November 2019, Breaux Bridge voters approved a one-cent sales tax for economic development, infrastructure, and safety personnel. This is a testament to the political stability and confidence that citizens of Breaux Bridge have in the current and future development of our community. To add, another important segment of our population that is gaining support and engagement in local activities are our veterans. Home to the 2-156, Breaux Bridge has recently completed major improvements to Veterans Park and is integrating Veteran activities into the cultural fabric.

Breaux Bridge is a bedroom community within the Lafayette Metropolitan Area, with a short fourteen-mile commute distance to a broad range of urban resources. Our community is also on Interstate Highway 10 connecting Houston and Baton Rouge and points further east and west. 

While our prime location to the big city is a plus, residents need to look no further than their own backyards for a plethora of food options, shopping, entertainment venues, or professional assistance.

There is no limit to the variety of food served up on our platter! Around every corner, you can find something to please your palate…Cajun, Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, pastries, coffee, smoothies, fast food, slow food, and everything in between!

We offer services ranging from leisure to professional including boutique shopping, attorneys, architects, massage therapists, hair dressers, barbers, nail salons, dance studios, and so much more! When it comes to health care in our quaint community, we are second to none. We boast an array of health care services encompassing general practitioners and specialists, including the Cardiovascular Institute of the South, ENT services, dermatology services, a rehabilitation facility, optometrists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and more! For emergency services, Acadian Ambulance, our 2020 Chamber of Commerce Honoree, is at the ready with air and ground transportation available. Currently, the existing St. Martin Hospital/Lafayette General Hospital facility is under construction, undergoing major improvements including state of the art guest rooms, additional opportunity for employment, outpatient surgeries, and more. 

From food and music, to health care and leisure, Breaux Bridge, Louisiana has it all!  When making your decision on where to relax for your retirement, come check us out and make this vacation destination your permanent residence ~ Welcome Home!