St. Louis Cathedral

St. Louis Cathedral tickets: which one to buy

Saint Louis Cathedral stands on Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans, facing the Mississippi River, and entry is free, with self-guided tour leaflets available for a small donation. It is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States and the symbol of New Orleans. Walking tours of the French Quarter, including history and ghost tours, always include the cathedral along with the Cabildo and Presbytere museums flanking it, the Pontalba Buildings, the French Market and Cafe du Monde.

Jackson Square is lively with street musicians, artists and fortune tellers. Mississippi riverboat cruises leave from the riverfront nearby. The cathedral is an active church, with daily masses, and visiting pauses during services. The garden behind the cathedral, Saint Anthony's Garden, can be seen from Royal Street. Horse-drawn carriage tours leave from Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square.

Visiting St. Louis Cathedral: what to see

A church has stood on this site since 1718, when New Orleans was founded by the French. The first churches were destroyed by a hurricane and by the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, and a new church, funded by the Spanish nobleman Andres Almonester, was completed in 1794, becoming a cathedral the same year. The present cathedral, with its three tall spires and white facade, is largely the result of a rebuilding in 1850, designed by J. N. B. de Pouilly. Inside, the cathedral has murals and a painted ceiling, stained glass windows showing the life of Saint Louis, King Louis IX of France, and a gilded main altar.

Several notable figures are buried beneath the floor. Pope John Paul II visited in 1987, and the square in front was renamed in his honour. Behind the cathedral, a statue of Christ in Saint Anthony's Garden casts a famous shadow on the rear wall at night. The organ is used for concerts and masses, and the choir loft offers views of the interior. The murals above the altar depict Saint Louis announcing the Seventh Crusade. Plaques inside commemorate important visitors and events. The cathedral's bells, including one named Victoire, ring out over the square. The white facade glows at night when floodlit.

St. Louis Cathedral opening hours and the best time to go

The cathedral is open daily. New Orleans is hot and humid in summer, with hurricane season from June to November; the best time to visit is from February to May, when the weather is pleasant. Mardi Gras, in February or March, is the city's biggest celebration, with parades and huge crowds. The French Quarter Festival in April and Jazz Fest in late April and May fill the city with music. Christmas brings concerts in the cathedral. Allow about twenty minutes for the cathedral, and then have beignets at Cafe du Monde across the square. The Cabildo museum, beside the cathedral, holds Napoleon's death mask and exhibits on Louisiana history.