New Orleans: Laura Creole Plantation Guided Tour
Southern United States, New Orleans
Encounter the true stories of the Creole men, women & children who spent their lives here. Visit the 1805 "Maison Principale", surrounding gardens, and the original 1840s enslaved quarters.
The Laura Plantation in Louisiana offers a 75-minute guided tour of its historic Creole sugar plantation, suited for visitors interested in cultural and historical tours.
Highlights
- Hear true, personal stories from four generations of the Louisiana Creole family
- Discover the authentic history of the enslaved community on this Creole plantation
- Visit original 1840s slave cabins where Louisiana Compair Lapin stories were recorded
- Tour the 1805 'Maison Principale,' a traditional Louisiana Creole raised house
Description
Experience the disappearing world of Creole Louisiana on a 75-minute guided tour of the Laura Plantation’s main house, gardens, and enslaved quarters. Learn intimate stories about four generations of free and enslaved Creole family members who lived here, drawn from handwritten memoirs and archival documents from the United States and France.
The stories are told inside the 1805 Maison Principale, on the grounds, and in original 1840s slave cabins, providing a true, personal account of the women, children, and men who spent their lives on this sugar farm.
Located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Louisiana's Plantation Country, the main house dates from 1805 and has been restored to reflect its role as both a family home and the plantation office.
Visitors tour the raised basement and galleries, men's and women's parlors, service rooms, and common rooms. The 200-year-old sugar plantation homestead includes three gardens: Jardin Français, the kitchen potager, and BananaLand grove. The tour continues on the grounds with 12 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including animal barns, overseers' cottages, and the 1829 Maison de Reprise.
After the tour, explore the onsite museum exhibit independently. The permanent exhibit, 'From the Big House to the Quarters: Slavery on Laura Plantation,' shares the authentic history of the enslaved community on this Creole farm. Laura Plantation was the first historic attraction in Louisiana to include enslaved Africans’ stories as part of the tour when it opened to the public in 1994.
Includes
- Guided 75-minute tour of the buildings and gardens
- Self-guided tour of the permanent exhibit 'From the Big House to the Quarters: Slavery on Laura Plantation'
- Tours available in English and French
- Free parking
Excludes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Transportation
- Food and drinks
- Tips
Important Information
- Tour takes place rain or shine
- Requires indoor and outdoor walking
- Visitors must climb and descend 15 steps to access Maison Principale; no elevator available
- Written translations of the guided tour are available in French, Spanish, Italian, and German
- Photography for personal use is allowed
- Do not take taxi service to the plantation unless the driver waits in the parking lot
- Closed on Wednesdays during August and September
Cancellation Policy
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
For the best experience, wear comfortable shoes for walking and visit during cooler morning hours. Book tickets in advance to secure your preferred tour time.
