St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, at 501 Basin St in New Orleans, is the city’s oldest cemetery, established in 1789. A guided walk takes you among its above-ground tombs and family vaults, with local history and burial customs explained along the way. Look for the tomb associated with Marie Laveau and the pyramid-shaped mausoleum purchased by actor Nicolas Cage. The cemetery is not open for independent visits, so book a tour to see its narrow paths and ornate stonework. Shade tents and misting stations offer breaks in hot weather.
A cemetery founded in 1789
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 dates to 1789 and is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Its above-ground tombs and family vaults give the grounds a distinctive appearance. The cemetery reflects a burial tradition shaped by the area’s wet conditions: rather than placing the dead in the ground, families used above-ground tombs.
A guided walk helps explain how these burial structures fit into the city’s history. The cemetery is a place of rest as well as a historic site, so treat the tombs and those commemorated here with care. Do not mark or damage the monuments.
Notable tombs and local stories
The cemetery is associated with Marie Laveau, the New Orleans voodoo priestess whose tomb draws visitors. It is also home to the pyramid-shaped mausoleum purchased by actor Nicolas Cage in 2010 as a future resting place. Guides connect these sites with stories about the city’s people, religious traditions and burial customs.
The walk also passes ornate mausoleums and crypts. Take time to look at the different forms of the above-ground structures and listen to the history attached to them. A guide can give context that is difficult to get from the tombs alone.
How the tour works
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is not open for independent visits; entry is by guided tour. Book ahead, then meet at the tour’s location at 501 Basin St. The walking tour typically takes about an hour and includes time for photographs. You can ask questions as you go.
New Orleans heat can make an outdoor walk demanding. Shade tents and misting stations along the route provide places to pause, but dress for warm weather and bring what you need to stay comfortable. The cemetery is best suited to visitors interested in local history, burial traditions and the people connected to the city’s past.
Häufige Fragen
Can you visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 without a tour?
No. Entry is by guided tour, so arrange a tour to go inside.
How long does the cemetery tour take?
Plan for about an hour.
What can you see at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1?
The tour passes above-ground tombs and family vaults, including the tomb associated with Marie Laveau and a pyramid-shaped mausoleum purchased by Nicolas Cage.
Is there shade during the tour?
Shade tents and misting stations along the route provide breaks from the heat.
