Lafayette, Louisiana is in the Laffayete Parish along the Vermilion River. The population of Lafayette is more than 250,000 residents and is the fourth largest city in Louisiana. Lafayette was founded in 1821 and was originally called Vermilionville by Jean Mouton. The city was renamed in 1884 after General Lafayette, who was a French military hero that fought with the American Army during the Revolutionary War. Until the late 1940's the city's economy was mainly based on agriculture until natural gas and petroleum became the dominant industry in Lafayette.
The tourism industry of Lafayette is strong because of the Creole and Cajun cultures surrounding the region. Lafayette is the center in Louisiana of Cajun culture. The cuisine of Cajun is one of the most distinct cuisines in the United States. The famous television chef Emeril Lagasse designs his menu around Cajun and Creole influences.
Lafayette is home to University of Louisiana at Lafayette which is the second largest university in the state. Enrollment is approximately 18,000 and is ranked as one of the top universities in the south. The university has gained national recognition and rankings in the colleges of architecture, nursing and computer sciences.\
The nightlife in Lafayete ranges from a diverse collection of clubs and sports bars in the downtown area. The scene ranges from venues playing live music like Grant Street Dancehall and The Blue Moon Saloon to places like the Taproom which is a bar specializing in all types of beer.
Want to find more cities in Louisiana? Use our directory at the ChamberofCommerce.com to find local businesses in our yellow pages of Louisiana.