Bienville Parish, Louisiana
Bienville Parish sits in northern Louisiana, roughly halfway between Shreveport and Monroe, where rich history and natural landscapes come together. Its quiet rural communities are surrounded by forests, lakes, and rolling countryside.
Lake Bistineau forms part of the parish’s western boundary and offers opportunities for fishing, boating, and enjoying the outdoors. Arcadia, the parish seat, is one of the area’s key communities, where small-town character and traditional Southern hospitality remain an important part of local life.
The local economy has long been shaped by timber and agriculture, industries that continue to influence the parish’s rural character. Bienville Parish is named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the French colonial governor associated with the founding of New Orleans.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Parish Name | Bienville Parish |
| Parish Seat | Arcadia |
| Etymology | Named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, a French colonizer and governor of French Louisiana |
| Cities, Towns, and Communities | Arcadia, Gibsland, Ringgold, Castor, Saline, Jamestown, Mount Lebanon |
| Interstates and Highways | I-20, US-80, LA-4, LA-9, LA-154, LA-507 |
| FIPS Code | 22-013 |
| Total Area (Land and Water) | 822 square miles (811 sq mi land, 11 sq mi water) |
| Adjacent Parishes (and Direction) | Webster Parish (Northwest), Claiborne Parish (North), Lincoln Parish (Northeast), Bossier Parish (West), Jackson Parish (East), Red River Parish (Northwest), Natchitoches Parish (South), Winn Parish (Southeast) |
| Time Zone | Central Time Zone (CT) |
| State | Louisiana |
| Coordinates | 32.3474° N, 93.0555° W |
| Major Landmarks | Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum, Bienville Depot Museum, Driskill Mountain (highest point in Louisiana), Mill Creek Reservoir, historic downtown Arcadia |
| Population | Approximately 12,000 |
