Common and Preferred Stock, Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, Non-vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
LTICP [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Target and opportunity restricted shares and common stock equivalent units previously issued for which restrictions had not lapsed	695,890
Restricted Stock [Member]
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Activity [Roll Forward]
Non-vested, beginning of period (in shares)	349,775
Granted (in shares)	139,048
Vested (in shares)	(147,825)
Non-vested, end of period (in shares)	340,998	349,775
Non-Vested Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 35.12
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, granted (in dollars per share)	$ 42.60
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, vested (in dollars per share)	$ 34.90
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period (in dollars per share)	$ 38.26	$ 35.12
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected term (in years)	3 years	3 years	3 years
Volatility of Cleco stock (in hundredths)	18.10%	21.50%	28.50%
Correlation between Cleco stock volatility and peer group (in hundredths)	69.70%	66.00%	63.20%
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)	3.20%	3.30%	3.30%
Weighted average fair value (Monte Carlo model) (in dollars per share)	$ 42.66	$ 41.56	$ 34.88
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Nov-vested shares of common stock granted during the year (in shares)	139,048
Number of shares of non-vested stock previously granted with only a service period requirement for which the service period had not ended	119,775
Fair value of shares of non-vested stock vested during period	$ 5.2	$ 3.1	$ 4.0
Restricted Stock [Member] | 2010 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Activity [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	139,048
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Nov-vested shares of common stock granted during the year (in shares)	139,048
Common Stock Equivalent Units [Member]
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Activity [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Nov-vested shares of common stock granted during the year (in shares)	0
Common Stock [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2010 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Activity [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	132,330
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Nov-vested shares of common stock granted during the year (in shares)	132,330
Treasury Stock [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | 2010 Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan [Member]
Non-Vested Stock and Common Stock Equivalent Units, Activity [Roll Forward]
Granted (in shares)	6,718
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Additional General Disclosures [Abstract]
Nov-vested shares of common stock granted during the year (in shares)	6,718