Audio Guide: French Quarter Historical Buildings Walking Tour (Self Guided), New Orleans

The French Quarter is not shy about showing off. Indeed, in this part of New Orleans, buildings come dressed in wrought iron, old brick, shuttered windows, and balconies as if they were purposely designed for dramatic entrances. Greek Revival, Creole, Spanish Colonial, American Colonial, and Victorian styles all turn up here, sometimes on the same stroll, producing the impression that the architecture itself couldn’t decide which century it fancied the most...

Some three centuries ago, on March 29, 1721, while laying out the original city, New Orleans founder and Governor Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville reportedly chose the site of Saint Louis Cathedral by marking the soil with his sword. The church itself would not be built for several years, but the sacred spot was claimed. Today, Saint Louis Cathedral rises beside Jackson Square, flanked by The Presbytère, completed around 1797, and the Cabildo, completed around 1799. Together, they form one of the city’s most recognizable historic scenes — solemn, elegant, and photographed more often than many celebrities.

While it may be difficult to decide which properties to visit next, the fascinating Hermann-Grima House should not be missed. This preserved residence offers a glimpse into the lives of those who lived there in comfort, as well as those who worked to make that comfort possible. Another valuable stop is the Merieult House, home to The Historic New Orleans Collection, where architecture, archives, and exhibitions come together to illuminate the city’s cultural memory.

The Quarter also preserves buildings where history blends easily with legend. The Old Absinthe House recalls the drinking culture, literary associations, and bohemian atmosphere of 19th-century New Orleans, while Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is often linked to smuggling tales, candlelit rooms, and the enduring mythology surrounding privateer Jean Lafitte. Nearby, the Gallier House showcases the refined domestic world of a prominent 19th-century architect, while the 1850 House recreates the setting of middle-class life in the antebellum era.

New Orleans has no shortage of private residences and businesses reputed to be haunted, so those interested in true-life stories that feel stranger than fiction should take note of the LaLaurie Mansion. Further in the Quarter, the Beauregard-Keyes House and the Old Ursuline Convent add still more depth, connecting domestic life, religious history, and colonial New Orleans.

To explore these remarkable buildings at your own pace, follow our self-guided walking tour, keep your eyes on the balconies, your ears open for stories, and your imagination ready. In the French Quarter, every doorway has a past, every courtyard has a secret, and every old building seems to be waiting for its cue to speak...