St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Under new rules set by the Archdiocese of New Orleans, all visitors to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide from Cemetery Tour New Orleans. Families with loved ones buried in the cemetery, tomb owners, and genealogists can acquire a special pass by calling: (504) 596-3050.

We took a walk to our favourite cemetery without realizing this new tour rule only to find the gates padlocked. It was very disappointing as we have in the past enjoyed walking through the historical resting place of so many souls. We always conducted ourselves appropriately and only assumed there was a reason such as vandalism for the closure. We found out about the tour after making a pitstop at a local coffee shop and were disappointed to find out it seemed profit was the real reason. Maybe the funds are needed to keep up the location. I only hope that was the reason.

While on the 45-minute guided walking tour inside of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, patrons will walk along a predetermined route throughout New Orleans’ most famous above-ground tombs to experience the burial site of Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau, Civil Rights Activist Homer Plessy, and other well-known New Orleanians.

Patrons will learn about the above ground burial practices dating back 300 years and get up close to the variety of architectural styles designed by the top architects of the 19th century, including Benjamin Henry Latrobe, designer of the U.S. Capital building. These include family tombs, wall vaults, and society tombs such as the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, Italian Benevolent Society Tomb, and more.

The guided tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 begins and ends at the Basin St. Station’s New Orleans Visitor Center at 501 Basin St. and reservations are recommended in advance.

ADMISSION: BY TOUR ONLY. $25 FOR ADULT, $18 FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-12, AGES 0-2 ARE FREE.