Pension Plan and Employee Benefits, Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended					1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 Pension Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Pension Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Other Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2014 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Mar. 31, 2013 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Pension contributions designated for prior plan year						$ 34,000,000
Components of periodic benefit costs
Service cost	2,005,000	2,484,000	405,000	314,000
Interest cost	4,930,000	4,437,000	463,000	481,000
Expected return on plan assets	(6,083,000)	(5,764,000)	0	0
Transition obligation	0	0	5,000	4,000
Prior period service cost (credit)	(18,000)	(18,000)	30,000	0
Net loss	1,713,000	3,373,000	177,000	318,000
Net periodic benefit cost	2,547,000	4,512,000	1,080,000	1,117,000			900,000	1,000,000		500,000	600,000
Postemployment Benefits Liability, Current			$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000