Melville, LA

Sitting along the banks of the Atchafalaya River in St. Landry Parish, Melville is a small, quiet community of around 750 residents. Its roots have always been tied to the water. Founded in the late 19th century, Melville grew around commercial fishing, docks, and icehouses, earning its longtime nickname as the Catfish Capital of Louisiana. Today, that river heritage still shapes the town's laid-back character and outdoor lifestyle.

Getting around is straightforward, with Louisiana Highway 105 running right through town and the river levee marking the landscape. Life moves at an easy pace here, with a tight-knit neighborhood feel where folks look out for one another and spend weekends out on the water. For anyone looking for a quiet, rural corner of Louisiana with deep cultural roots, Melville offers genuine small-town living along the river basin.