St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral
4.5
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Dating all the way back to 1727, this historic church is the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S. It overlooks Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: French Quarter
A small and teeming network of laissez-faire living lounged out on the balmy banks of the Mighty Mississippi, the French Quarter has long been a port of call for folks in search of a good time and a great story. Perpetually inebriated Bourbon Street runs across its midriff like a strand of cheap ribbon tied around an otherwise rather pretty and impressively well-kept vintage dress. Throughout the rest of the Quarter, brightly colored Victorian homes and businesses, famously done up with wrought-iron features, provide a distinct and immediately recognizable backdrop for all varieties of fun. At any given moment in this historic riverside setting, some of America’s finest meals are being cooked, most potent cocktails are being mixed, and most engaging music is being performed.
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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1,488 within 3 miles
Attractions
626 within 6 miles
See what travellers are saying
- TardykatNew York City, New York2,184 contributionsLooks like Cinderella's CastleBeing the oldest Catholic church in the USA, it looks very modern and new as it has been rebuilt 3 times, with the last in the 1850s. Inside is a cool sanctuary when it's a hot and humid day outside. Perfect respite. Note the beautiful bible though only a copy, the illustrations (in gold) are a work of art.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 October 2023
- Mrs. RomenceGrand Rapids, Michigan152 contributionsA Beautiful Place to Visit!I have been to the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and several other cathedrals in Europe and this cathedral ranks in the top with those contenders. It is such a beautiful creation inside and out. We visited on a Sunday so a baptism was taking place and it was so beautiful to watch. You are allowed to walk inside the sanctuary and take pictures. Many of the statues and memorials are written in French. It is a very beautiful place. I highly recommend that you visit this wonderful piece of history- it does not take long to visit, less than thirty minutes. It is such a beautiful respite from all the homeless people and strong odors outside. Be sure to include this place on your travel itinerary.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 November 2023
- mwhamburgerSeattle, Washington836 contributionsyou must visit the oldest cathedral in the U.S. at the lovely Jackson Square.A gem. We found out that Irma Thompson was going to be there, the queen of soul in New Orleans. She's awesome!! The church was packed and lines were huge. No admission fee but a donation is welcome. The cathedral is the oldest in the U.S.; first destroyed by a hurricane in 1722 and a fire in 1788. Rebuilt in 1794.Visited December 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 17 December 2023
- jim mHolymoorside, United Kingdom1,180 contributionspeacefulA small Cathedral with clear French influences. A peaceful place providing a contrast to the musical streets. A beautiful place but I am always put off by any signs of patriotism or personal idolisation in places of Godly worship.Visited January 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 14 January 2024
- redcanvasDryden, Canada148 contributionsGreat spot for a break!Great spot to sit and listen to musics of street performers around the square. Benches and manicured grounds. Read the signs…Google the history! Several cafes, restaurants and shops nearby.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 March 2024
- CharlieV2011Chicago, Illinois2,195 contributionsPeaceful and SereneI stopped in here and absolutely loved this church! I loved sitting down at a pew and taking in the decorations, glass windows, and environment. This is a great church to stop in for some peace and quiet and to gather your thoughts in a sacred environment!Visited April 2024Travelled soloWritten 18 April 2024
- Monica TBay Village, Ohio35 contributionsA MUST stop in New OrleansSt. Louis Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in continuous use in the United States and a testament to the faith and vision of the Ursuline Sisters, who helped bring this cathedral into existence. Its magnificent architecture rivals many of the churches in Europe. It is certainly a place of solace and quiet just outside the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street. We had the privilege of attending mass on Sunday and the choir was incredible…truly a beautiful spiritual experience.Visited April 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 April 2024
- dambankerToronto, Canada1,807 contributionsGo inside!While I have visited Jackson Square before for some reason I never took the time go inside the Cathedral. And you should! As amazing as the cathedral looks from the outside, it is just as great inside. Well worth the walk in. Unfortunately during my visit you can only access the main floor. Not sure if that changes ever but that would have been cool to explore some more. Also go early as later in the day there was lots of people around. Don't do what I've done an walk past... do go in.Visited March 2024Travelled soloWritten 15 May 2024
- TheTravelbopperBoise, Idaho45 contributionsMake sure to visit when you canI was pretty excited to see this. We had attempted to go for a few days during our trip but they had Mass and other things going on. When we finally made it on a open for visiting day I was happy. The inside is amazing and the history behind this cathedral is also amazing.Visited April 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 May 2024
- RobertPortland, Texas138 contributionsIt's a beautiful building full of great architecture. Well worth a quick stop.To get a little relief from the heat we went into the air-conditioned St. Louis Cathedral. Didn’t spend too much time there as it was closing shortly. The building is very ornate with murals on the ceiling and classic stain glassed windows.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 4 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
8,426 reviews
Excellent
5,839
Very good
2,079
Average
446
Poor
41
Terrible
20
Jason H
Boonton, NJ222 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
St. Louis Cathedral provides a beautiful backdrop for Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter. It’s one of the symbols of New Orleans.
However, the inside of the church doesn’t really provide much in the way of what one might typically think of for a cathedral. The ceiling is gorgeous, but the rest of the architecture is rather mundane.
There are not a lot of informational signs or things to see within the church, so a brief 10-15 minute visit would be all that you need to see this place. No admission fee is charged.
However, the inside of the church doesn’t really provide much in the way of what one might typically think of for a cathedral. The ceiling is gorgeous, but the rest of the architecture is rather mundane.
There are not a lot of informational signs or things to see within the church, so a brief 10-15 minute visit would be all that you need to see this place. No admission fee is charged.
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sarah M
Darien, IL140 contributions
Mar 2020 • Couples
You can spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour here, depending on how closely you want to look at things. There’s an informational pamphlet available for a suggested donation of $1. We found it to be a good (cheap) purchase a very friendly docent shared some of the church’s history with us. We enjoyed our visit.
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jodipilot
Tri-Cities, WA27 contributions
Oct 2019
The Cathedral sits at the Center of Jackson Square. It is a grand stunning piece of architecture. It is ran by the Catholic Church and is actively offering mass daily. You can attend services or just walk through the church and see it's beautiful design. The inside of the sanctuary is opulent with many intricate stained glass windows, statues, carvings, flags, plaques, and depictions of the story of Christs crucifixion. You can light a candle and say a prayer, donations welcome. What amazed me the most is that as noisy as it is right outside the doors, on the street, the sanctuary was stunningly silent with soft music and total reverence for the ground you were standing on.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David M
Chapel Hill, NC395 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Most prolific cathedral in New Orleans. Easy to identify in the French Quarter and nice to walk through Jackson Square to get to the Cathedral. Outside there is street entertainment ongoing nearly all day. Inside it is a beautiful cathedral but the highlight is the stained glass and worth getting up close to each of them to see the texture and detail. Worth a 30 minute visit
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Glowee26
Columbus, OH181 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a very beautiful Cathedral that has been active in the city of New Orleans for over 280 years. It is the oldest active Cathedral in the U.S. Its a very beautiful structure. We were visiting shortly after Christmas so the Nativity was still on display. I’m happy to have visited this historic beautiful Cathedral which is a big part of New Orleans history. Everyone should take the opportunity to go inside to see how beautiful it is.
Written 19 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neale1810
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK3,217 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Located just off Jackson Square it’s one of the oldest cathedrals in the US. It’s very picturesque from the outside and lovely decor on the inside (worth popping inside for a few minutes). Please note that the interior is nowhere to the level found in old religious buildings in Europe but my rating is based on what is typically found in the US.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie A
Dimmitt, TX96 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This Catholic Church has been very well maintained through the years. It is sparkling white on the outside, inside the murals and stained glass windows are beautiful. It has marble floors, heavy wood pews and ornately carved wood on the sanctuary. It’s worth the time to stop by.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krissy W
Phoenix, AZ304 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This church is not only beautiful but serene. The inside is absolutely stunning. I was kinda disappointed that they charge you so much money to light a candle. That seemed odd to me. Please remember to be respectful while in the church. Take your hats off and remain quiet while. Others are praying. Definitely a must see while in NOLA.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cervantez
San Diego, CA68 contributions
Nov 2020
I didn't actually go inside because there were services going on at the time. It seems the cathedral has implemented the most obvious solution to social distancing, constant instead of limited services. The church has several services a day all week long. Seems like a better solution than limiting things. In any case, the building is immaculate and the foyer is a perfect subject for the amature (or professional) photographer. Don't miss it!
Written 12 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andy-S60
London, UK1,899 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
A stunning cathedral, as long as you accept it’s a little different to the ones you might visit in the UK. Beautifully constructed, fabulous stained glass windows, lots of notice board and details of the history of its building. No charge to enter, and if you want to light a candle, you can lay by credit card!!
Written 28 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Did you need tickets to attend the Ash Wednesday Mass? Thanks
Written 26 November 2019
Is Sunday mass normally packed? I will be visiting for a week and wanted to attend a 9 AM Sunday mass service.
Written 25 June 2019
I attended Saturday evening Mass so I don’t know about Sunday. Sunday morning Mass at any Catholic Church is always more crowded than a Sunday afternoon or Saturday evening service. It’s always best to go early. The good thing about going on Sunday is that all the street parking is FREE! (But be careful of the signs bc you don’t want to park in a residential area or a loading area). You must go early to find the free street parking though bc it fills up quickly.
Written 25 June 2019
How early should we arrive at st Luis cathedral Christmas concert to get a seat
Written 16 December 2018
This one s easy. A line begins to form up to 2 hours prior to the doors opening. I know because I have done this 3 different seasons, and it is always a line and a wait, so the earlier you get there, the better. Also, my suggestion, immediately after the choir performance, the caroling in Jackson Square begins. Forget about trying to leave the cathedral and get into the actual square. It is best to hang the perimeters and just listen to the carols. It is so packed, you literally can barely move.
Written 7 July 2019
Is there any means of travel after the midnight mass is over, to get transportation to a place where one is staying?
Written 14 October 2018
Does clothing matter? We are all wearing shorts and sneakers
Written 15 October 2017
No not if visiting and looking around. If going to mass you should dress respectfully and appropriately as this is a house of Gid.
Written 20 October 2018
How long do Sunday morning masses usually last?
Written 3 October 2017
Hallo, wij willen een dagdeel in dit French Quartier doorbrengen en oa de Kathedraal bezoeken. Nog speciale openingstijden? Wij komen op een woensdag. Graag tips voor deze wijk EN waar te parkeren!
Written 31 July 2017
Não recomendo ir de carro, Nova Orleans principalmente o centro histórico, não vale ir de carro, vá de táxi ou uber. RESTAURANTES Bourbon House - camarão gigante e as ostras cobertas com caviar e tomar "Frozen Bourbon Milk Punch". 923 Decatur Street New Orleans, LA 70116 Praline: Doce tradicional da culinária cajun, é uma espécie de cookie preparada à base de açúcar, chocolate e nozes. O açúcar as vezes é substituído por um xarope (syrup). BAIRROS French Quartier é o mais importante, e a circulação se dá entre este e o Central Business District. Ele tem mais prédios na lista do Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos do que qualquer outra cidade dos Estados Unidos. . Na Decatur Street encontram-se várias das principais atrações de New Orleans: o Café du Monde (800 Decatur Street) é uma atração à parte, servindo beignets(bolinho de chuva mais suave e aerado) 24 horas por dia, a Central Grocery (Muffuletta), o French Market e a Jackson Square, onde se encontra a Catedral St Louis e ao CabildoBourbon Street e pela Frenchmen Street, para assistir alguns artistas de rua ou, quem sabe, entrar em algum restaurante com show de jazz. el. Preservation Hall é a casa de Jazz mais antiga da cidade é programa obrigatório em New Orleans, contudo é preciso chegar cedo e ficar de uma a duas horas na fila para ter a melhor experiência musical da sua vida. Criado há mais de 50 anos para proteger, preservar e perpetuar o Jazz, a casa não possui banheiro, nem bar e a entrada, ao preço de US$ 20, é limitada. FRENCH MARKET – Mercado de artesanato, comida e muitas opções é um dos mercados agropecuários mais antigos do país. Encontre barracas de comida local e cafés que oferecem os deliciosos pratos cajun, preparados na sua frente e servidos bem fresquinhos. Experimente o sanduíche de presunto e queijo brie no Continental Provisions. Peça um po-boy de frutos do mar ou uma tigela de jambalaya ou etouffee. DECATUR STREET: É outra rua importante da cidade, onde ao longo dela, se encontra o Cafe du Monde, Central Grocery (Muffuletta), o French Market e a Jackson Square (Praça Jackson), onde pode atravessar para chegar à Catedral St Louis e ao Cabildo. Este último (Cabildo) herança do período em que a cidade esteve sob domínio espanhol. Nessa rua é comum haver apresentações de Street Dance. RIVER WALK: E o calçadão às margens do Rio Mississipi, onde também encontra-se o Aquário. Nesta mesma rua está o ponto de partida do Ferry para Algiers, que inclusive não recomendo esse passeio. CALLE REAL: Observar atentamente essa rua e a influência espanhola na arquitetura das casas, devido ao período em que esteve sob domínio espanhol (1762-1803). Me fez recordar a Española Way de Miami. Aliás, uma das coisas que gostei de New Orleans, foi esse mix, americano, francês, espanhol e africano. MARDI GRAS WORLD – Galpão/barracão onde o carnaval (Mardi Gras) é feito. FOOD AND BEVERAGE MUSEUM (SOFAB) – Museu da comida, bem interessante. PASSEIO Cruzeiro pelos portos no barco a vapor Natchez - A excursão parte de Toulouse St, Nova Orleans, próximo ao Quarteirão Francês - 11h30 - com almoço - Cruzeiro de barco a vapor de 2 horas - Comentários ao vivo a bordo - Jazz ao vivo PASSEIO Riverwalk Shopping Center, um outlet onde estive e que tem bons preços e lojas de muitas marcas Universities, e continua até Carrollton, onde fica o ponto final e todo mundo tem que sair.
Written 1 August 2017
Are masses held during the week? If so, what time? My dentist mentioned attending a concert there on a Sunday evening last December. Will there be one this coming Sunday, May 21st? (Our only Sunday in NOLA)
Written 15 May 2017
Mass at 9am and 11am on Sunday 21 May 2017
Written 16 May 2017
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