Delcambre — The Shrimp Capital

Louisiana catches more shrimp than any other state, and Delcambre calls itself the Shrimp Capital of Louisiana — a claim made with a straight face. The town straddles the Iberia-Vermilion parish line, split down the middle by Bayou Carlin, also known as the Delcambre Canal, which connects directly to Vermilion Bay. Working docks line both banks. Shrimp boats leave before dawn and tie up again by afternoon, unloading the day's catch where you can buy it without restaurant markup. This is Acadian country. The Acadians who settled here after their expulsion from Nova Scotia in the mid-18th century became the Cajuns, and their descendants are still pulling a living from these waters. Desire Delcambre founded the town that carries his family's name. The first post office opened May 17, 1877. The town incorporated November 27, 1907. As of 2020, the population was 1,793. The Delcambre Shrimp Festival in late August is one of the oldest in the region. Come for that, or just come to the dock on a Tuesday. This is a working port, not a heritage attraction. The boats go out, the boats come back, and what they bring in is for sale.