The Cabildo Museum
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History
Overview
The Cabildo, originally called "Casa Capitular", is a historical building in New Orleans, Louisiana. Originally the seat of Spanish colonial city hall, the building now forms part of the Louisiana State Museum. It is located along Jackson Square, adjacent to St.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimeExcellent year-round, with midday (11:30 AM - 2:00 PM) on a clear day being the peak selection. Sunlight streams elegantly through the high Spanish colonial arches into the grand second-floor Sala Capitular room—the exact hall where the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer papers were signed. It also yields brilliant views over the square.
Getting TherePositioned directly to the left of St. Louis Cathedral at 701 Chartres Street. The perimeter is strictly pedestrian-only. Take the Riverfront Streetcar to the Jackson Square station, walk past the artist stands along the western promenade for 2 minutes to reach the monumental double-arched Spanish colonial stone building entrance.
Travel Tips
- Housed in a landmark historic structure on Jackson Square, uneven timber steps lack modern elevators; accessibility is highly restricted.
- Closed Mondays; the gallery housing the authentic bronze Napoleon Death Mask features armed state rangers and crossing protective floor boundaries is illegal.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Oversized camera cases, backpacks larger than 12x12 inches, and metal-tipped umbrellas must be checked at the security counter; gimbals are banned.
Reviews
Positive
- This 1799 Spanish colonial city hall building holds immense historical weight, having hosted the Louisiana Purchase signing; sitting by its old windows cracks open history to the soul.
- Exhibits are deep and comprehensive, displaying Native American artifacts, colonial weaponry, and the world-famous bronze Napoleon Death Mask, ensuring an exceptional high-fidelity tour.
- Flawless location right next to Jackson Square Cathedral; the grand second-floor arched windows offer unparalleled sweeping views of the French gardens and bustling street jazz below.
- Admission is highly economical; for just a few dollars, you can escape the heat under strong A/C for a two-hour peaceful history study, making it NOLA's premier high-value historical landmark.
Heads up
- Though covering broad history, display layouts look dated, relying on dense blocks of text strictly in English without multi-language translations, making reading a bit taxing for foreign tourists.
- As a strictly preserved two-century-old structure, despite retrofitted basic lifts, narrow twisting timber annex steps and thresholds remain uneven and clumsy for strollers or wheelchairs.
- Several interactive touchscreens and audio wands are weathered and long labeled 'Out of Order,' showing a lack of tech updates and making it less engaging for technology-loving kids.
- Being on Jackson Square, the steps gather high-decibel street acts; when the grand stone halls are crowded with tour groups, echoing chatter can sound noisy and disruptive.