Pension Plan and Employee Benefits, Pension Plan and Other Benefits Plan (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014 Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Other Benefits [Member]	Jan. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 Cleco Power [Member] Other Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Other Subsidiaries [Member] Pension Benefits [Member]	Jun. 30, 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	2,020,000	2,460,000	4,025,000	4,945,000	405,000	314,000	810,000	628,000
Interest cost	4,996,000	4,533,000	9,926,000	8,970,000	462,000	481,000	925,000	962,000
Expected return on plan assets	(6,170,000)	(5,958,000)	(12,253,000)	(11,723,000)	0	0	0	0
Transition obligation	0	0	0	0	5,000	4,000	10,000	8,000
Prior period service cost (credit)	(18,000)	(18,000)	(36,000)	(36,000)	30,000	0	60,000	0
Net loss	1,658,000	3,236,000	3,371,000	6,609,000	178,000	319,000	355,000	637,000
Net periodic benefit cost	2,486,000	4,253,000	5,033,000	8,765,000	1,080,000	1,118,000	2,160,000	2,235,000			900,000	1,000,000	1,900,000	1,900,000		400,000	600,000	900,000	1,200,000
Postemployment Benefits Liability, Current					$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,500,000		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000		$ 3,200,000