St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Walking Tour
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Official Walking Tour
The Journey Beyond the Gates
Step into New Orleans history with a 55-minute guided walking tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 – the city’s oldest and most famous resting place. Established in 1789, this legendary cemetery is known for its elaborate above-ground tombs, intricate ironwork, and centuries-old burial traditions. On this tour, your licensed local Tour Host will share captivating stories of the historic figures laid to rest here – from renowned Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau to Civil War generals, jazz musicians, and influential political leaders. Along the way, you’ll gain insight into New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage, Creole and Catholic burial customs, and the preservation efforts that keep this sacred site standing.
Cemetery Tour Hosts are locally licensed and specially trained to offer the most accurate and complete tours of the cemetery on behalf of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries. Walking along a meandering path, you will see the tombs of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, historic figure Homer Plessy, former Mayors of the City of New Orleans, and many other notable characters in New Orleans’ marvelous history.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Meet your tour guide across the street from the cemetery at Basin St. Station Visitor Information Center (501 Basin Street).
- Please check-in 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time to receive your wristbands and tickets to enter the Cemetery.
- Photography along the way is encouraged. Please do not film the tour.
Advanced booking recommended
Small group tours available every 15 minutes.
Tour Highlights
Understand why New Orleans is relatively unique in the United States for its above-ground burials and gain insight into ongoing restoration efforts to protect this sacred site for future generations.
Visiting with Respect
Remember, the cemetery is sacred hallowed ground, the final resting place of thousands of New Orleanians for over two centuries. It is also a very rare and fragile architectural site, still actively used for burials. Therefore, managed visitation is required to ensure the sustainability of this treasure for generations to come.
Cemetery Tour staff members will enforce the following Policies:
- No touching, sitting or leaning on tombs, fences, or other structures
- Marking or rubbing on tombs is prohibited.
- Vandalism and theft are illegal and will be prosecuted.
- Deposit of any items on tombs or in the cemetery is prohibited (such as candles, beans, coins, shells, rocks, figures, pictures, images, etc.).
- No eating in the cemetery - water bottles with lids are encouraged.
- Photography is welcome; please refrain from taking video.
WHAT TO BRING
- Comfortable Walking Shoes
- Water, especially during warmer months
- Sun protection
- Weather-appropriate clothing
Occasionally yes, but normally No. Each tour departure is limited to 20 persons. Tour departure times should be reserved in advance to ensure a place on the tour. Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time for ticketing & greeting!
The cemetery is not open to the public – only for our authorized tours.
Private family visitation is authorized by the Archdiocese of New Orleans with Family Pass, available at the New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries Office.
To inquire, you may email NolaCatholicCem@arch-no.org or call 504-596-3050 for more information.Â
Comfortable shoes are the most important item – many uneven surfaces exist in the historic site.
Light airy clothing in the hot summer months – jackets and hats in the colder winter months.
The walking tour normally lasts about 55-minutes. However, the tour could finish later depending on weather and other unforeseen events.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your selected tour time and check in at our Cemetery Tours Desk inside of Basin St. Station Visitor Center (501 Basin Street).
