In this post, we share everything you need to know about visiting the Presbytère in New Orleans. A popular attraction amongst locals and visitors, the Presbytère is a part of the Louisiana State Museum and features many important cultural artifacts that showcase New Orleans' fascinating history.
The best time to visit the Presbytere is after our More than Mardi Gras: French Quarter Tour.
We’ll show you the real French Quarter beyond Bourbon Street, but we can’t NOT talk about Mardi Gras! Our tour ends at the Presbytere. We recommend visiting it after for its exhibits for the history and meaning of Mardi Gras and how the city overcame Hurricane Katrina to keep celebrating this centuries-old tradition.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Presbytère, located in the French Quarter at 751 Chartres Street, is one of the showcase units of the Louisiana State Museum. Built in 1791 as a matching structure for the nearby Cabildo, The Presbytère is one of the nation's most accurate examples of colonial Spanish architecture.
It sits beside St. Louis Cathedral, facing Jackson Square, and holds two permanent exhibits that tell contrasting sides to Louisiana’s story- one of commemoration and one of endurance. Visitors will absorb the rich culture of the Mardi Gras celebrations and learn about Louisiana’s resilience through a time of devastation, Hurricane Katrina.
Location: 751 Chartres St., New Orleans, 70116
Hours: Tuesdays – Sundays 10 am – 4:30 pm (Closed Mondays and state holidays)
Cost: $7/adults, $5/seniors, students, military
TIP: Combination tickets for two or more sites within the LA State Museums receive 20% off.
NOTE: Admission to the Presbytere is included with most New Orleans tourist passes.
EXHIBITS
There are two main exhibits at the Presbytere.
Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time In Louisiana
This elaborate collection tells the story of Mardi Gras from its ancient origins to its modern-day celebrations. Visitors will see the exquisite costumes and historical throws on display, as well as many different artifacts that have graced the parades and balls of Mardi Gras past.
The exhibit is also interactive. Large floats designed by Blaine Kern Studios ( New Orleans's largest and most famous float-building facility) are on display, which guests can climb atop to experience what it’s like to be a part of the parade. Guests will also learn about rituals and the secret social club society from which modern-day Mardi Gras krewes evolved. There is also a gift shop where memorabilia from this one-of-a-kind celebration can be purchased.
Be sure to read our Q+A Guide to Mardi Gras and Carnival.
Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond
An emotional and insightful walk-through connecting visitors to the devastating impact that hurricanes have had on New Orleans, namely Hurricane Katrina; this exhibit presents a powerful display of the resilience of the people of New Orleans. It took five years of collecting before museum staff members were ready to display the vast array of artifacts that tell a personal story of the people affected by this life-changing disaster.
One of the most striking is a destroyed baby grand piano from Fats Domino’s flooded 9th Ward home, the first that will meet visitors' eyes. Perhaps the most striking is the “Mabry Wall,” a literal daily diary belonging to Tommie Elton Mabry, who used the walls of his apartment to document his inner thoughts starting the day before the storm hit and the weeks following.
The exhibit also features audio-visuals, including news tapings of relief efforts and oral accounts from residents. In addition, visitors will learn about the failed levee system of New Orleans's past and the infrastructure improvements and new initiatives that Katrina has inspired.
You might consider visiting some of the neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Katrina and witnessing the rebirth on our self-guided Katrina tour.
VIRTUAL TOUR
THINGS TO DO IN THE FRENCH QUARTER
Besides the immersive exhibits at The Presbytère, the French Quarter has plenty of attractions worth visiting. St. Louis Cathedral and The Cabildo are very close by and exhibit some of the same beautiful architecture as the Presbytère. You’ll also want to get a picture in front of the Andrew Jackson statue.
Our seventh president spent a period in New Orleans, where he played a role in the victory against the British in the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. Other notable areas and landmarks include Preservation Hall, Napoleon House, and, of course, the famous Bourbon Street.
Read our post on Things to do in the French Quarter for a complete guide to the most famous district in New Orleans.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE:
- St. Louis Cathedral
- Jackson Square
- The Cabildo
- Bourbon Street
- Tennessee Williams House
- Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
- Pirates Alley
- William Faulkner House
- And much more…
For more ideas for things to do while visiting NOLA, visit our post on The Best Free (and almost free) Things to Do in New Orleans.
