On Jackson Square since 1727, the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States. Walk in with our cathedral historians before the doors open to the public, or explore at your own pace with an iPad tour in English, French or Spanish.
What the world's travel writers say
“Perhaps the most iconic photo op in New Orleans.”
“One of the best examples of French architecture in the country.”
“The international symbol of New Orleans.”
“Its most prominent feature is the iconic St. Louis Cathedral.”
The official tours of St. Louis Cathedral are presented under exclusive charter by the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Both are run by TourPatron, and every ticket supports the care of this landmark.
A small group, a cathedral historian, and the nave to yourselves before the doors open to the public. Go behind the velvet ropes and take all the photos you like.
Narration, photographs and video on an iPad we hand you, with fresh disposable headphones. Start whenever you arrive and linger wherever you like.
A church has stood on this square since 1727. Give it the first hour of your day, before the crowds, and the rest of the French Quarter is right outside the door.
Your guide waits on Jackson Square while the Quarter is still quiet.
The nave to yourselves, the velvet ropes opened, and all the photos you want.
The doors open to the public just as the square comes to life.
A few steps across the square.
One block from the cathedral steps.
Every morning, before the first visitors cross Jackson Square, a small group steps inside with one of our cathedral historians and docents. The nave is quiet, the light is soft, and the cathedral is yours.
Your guide tells the story of the three churches that have stood on this ground, the families and clergy who built it, and the art overhead, then gives you time for photographs from places visitors don't normally stand.
What guests say about the official guided tour, across the sites where they booked.
“The tour guide was excellent… It's worth getting up early.”
“A beautiful cathedral and a must see in New Orleans.”
“Easily one of the top highlights of our trip.”
“Learned so much about the church.”
“Really appreciated private time in the cathedral.”
“A wonderful tour of the interior of the Cathedral.”
“Amazing.”
“This was a great tour.”
Pick up an iPad, choose English, French or Spanish, and follow the stops through the cathedral. Pause, replay, or skip ahead.
Welcome to St. Louis Cathedral, the heart of New Orleans.
Both tours follow the cathedral from the square outside to the sanctuary.
Three slate spires above the square, the face of the French Quarter since the cathedral was rebuilt in 1849 and 1850.
The checkerboard marble aisle, and flags recalling the nations whose history is tied to New Orleans.
Nineteenth-century murals of the life of Christ, and the great arch inscribed Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
The cathedra, the seat of the Archbishop of New Orleans, and the reason this church is a cathedral.
A side altar beneath a painting of Mary and the Christ Child, crowned in gold.
The great shell-shaped canopy over the pulpit, and the gilded altar beneath the mural of St. Louis, King of France.
Kings, republics, pirates and a city of its own. The flags in the cathedral's nave recall the nations that governed this square.
Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville founds New Orleans for the French crown.
France cedes Louisiana to Spain, whose colonial forces flew the red Cross of Burgundy. The Spanish rebuild the city after the fires of 1788 and 1794, and its church becomes a cathedral.
Louisiana returns to France, for just twenty days.
The Louisiana Purchase. The flag of the day had fifteen stars and fifteen stripes.
Louisiana becomes the eighteenth state. Its pelican flag was adopted in 1912 and redrawn in 2010.
Jean Lafitte's smugglers ran goods through the bayous and fought for the city at the Battle of New Orleans. No flag of Lafitte's own survives.
Louisiana secedes in January and flies its own flag for two months.
Louisiana joins the Confederacy in March under its first national flag, the Stars and Bars.
Admiral David Farragut's fleet takes New Orleans in April. The Union flag then carried thirty-four stars.
Chosen for the city's bicentennial: three gold fleurs-de-lis on white, between stripes of red and blue.
The fifty-star flag, flying over Jackson Square to this day.
The yellow and white papal flag hangs in the nave beside the flags of the nations.
The golden age of piracy was ending as New Orleans was founded, and its legends sailed these waters. Most pirate flags are known from later accounts; these are the designs traditionally attributed to each captain.
About 1700, one of the earliest recorded skulls and crossbones, over an hourglass.
The classic Jolly Roger.
A skull above crossed cutlasses.
A skeleton with an hourglass, spearing a bleeding heart.
Skull and bone between a heart and a dagger.
On red: a winged hourglass, an armed fist and a skull in gold.
An arm raising a sword.
The church on this site is the third to stand here. Your guide will fill in the rest.
The people who lead the guided tour know this building room by room. They share its art, its people and its stories, and they love questions.
St. Louis Cathedral
615 Pere Antoine Alley
New Orleans, LA 70116
On Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
Guided tour: daily at 9:00 AM. Please arrive at the main doors by 8:50 AM.
iPad tour: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM.
Tour operators, schools and parishes can book private group visits.
Call 1-800-920-3904
Yes. St. Louis Cathedral is an active place of worship and is open to visitors without charge. The tours add a guide or an iPad narration, and the guided tour adds early, private access before public hours.
No. The self-guided tour includes an iPad and disposable headphones.
The iPad tour is available in English, French and Spanish. The guided tour is led in English.
Yes. The guided tour sets aside time for photos in the nave before the public arrives. On either tour, please be mindful of anyone at prayer.
Worship always comes first. Tour times may occasionally shift around services, and we'll contact you using the details on your booking.
Join a historian at 9:00 AM, or pick up an iPad any time from 10 to 4, Monday to Saturday.
