Why Can’t I Go Inside The LaLaurie Mansion?

Whether you are a longtime local or just a visitor to the vibrant city of New Orleans, nearly everyone is familiar with the legendary LaLaurie Mansion. Situated on the corner of Royal Street and Governor Nicholls and just footsteps away from Bourbon Street, this massive residence exudes an air of eerie grandeur whether seen by day or night. 

Although alluring to the eye, it harbors a past filled with ghastly secrets — many of which will never be fully known. A heinous madame who hid behind her wealth and lavish home lies at the center of this grim tale. What she did behind these walls is almost too terrifying a thought to behold. 

Why does the lore surrounding the LaLaurie Mansion refuse to die? It’s time to plunge into the dark and horrifying history of this vast home and uncover the stories that have haunted the streets of the Crescent City for years. Book a ghost tour with NOLA Ghosts to learn more about the dark side of New Orleans.

Can You Go Inside the LaLaurie Mansion?

Might this mansion have a past so terrifying that no one dares go inside? Not exactly. There are currently no Lalaurie Mansion tours available to the public, and it’s not because the mansion is rumored to be cursed. 

Because the LaLaurie Mansion is currently a private residence, you cannot enter the interior of this unnerving location, no matter how much you’re willing to pay. However, you can stop outside and snap a photo of the chillingly beautiful exterior. 

The Gruesome History of the LaLaurie Mansion

The story of the LaLaurie Mansion is a dark one indeed. It begins in 1832 when an affluent woman known as Delphine LaLaurie settled into the large, Neoclassical home with her third husband, Dr. Leonard LaLaurie. At first glance, one might never think this well-off socialite could be capable of anything wicked. But after some years, rumors began to spread of the lady’s cruel and sadistic treatment toward her slaves. 

It appears Madame LaLaurie had a record involving savage practices towards her slaves, having been investigated in 1828 for such behavior. However, nothing could compare to what would be uncovered inside the LaLaurie Mansion six years later.

After the home caught fire on April 10th, 1834, spectators gathered to watch the blaze. Firefighters who entered found seven slaves trapped within who had been “horribly mutilated.” It was later determined that the fire had been started by the cook. The enslaved woman had been chained to the stove and seemingly found being consumed by flames preferable to her current existence. 

The news about Madame LaLaurie’s horrific conduct quickly spread, and neighboring residents rose in anger. They raided the home, demolishing what little was left of it by the fire. Meanwhile, LaLaurie and her husband hastily departed, first to Lake Pontchartrain and then to Paris.

Delphine LaLaurie never stood trial for her crimes, dying in Paris in 1849. Still, legend has it her body was buried in New Orleans, at none other than St. Louis Cemetery.

In 1938, a new residence was built where the LaLaurie Mansion once stood. Although intended as a private home, it was used in subsequent years as a school and apartments. Eventually, it returned to its original purpose as a private residence, being most famously owned by Nicholas Cage in 2006 before he lost it to foreclosure. 

Tortured Spirits of the Past

A torrent of haunted happenings have been said to beset this infamous residence, from discontented spirits to the supposed curse on the property owner. Stories of screams emanating from the home, flashing lights appearing in windows, and the scent of Madame LaLaurie’s perfume wafting through the air are all often told.

Other haunted occurrences at the LaLaurie Mansion include stomach-churning smells and strange sensations. Some have described encountering the scent of decaying flesh, while others outside the home have experienced the feeling of unseen hands strangling them.

Rumors have circulated of various apparitions of the former enslaved people who were viciously tortured here at Madame LaLaurie’s hands. The spirit of a small female child is also said to haunt the property. Called “Lia” in some stories, she is believed to be the spirit of a young girl who died on the property. 

As her tale goes, a neighbor spied LaLaurie chasing the child, pursuing her with a whip, until they reached the top of the property. Terrified, the child fell from this great height and was later buried in the yard. That she still haunts the property is not surprising in the least. 

Last of all is the nefarious curse of the LaLaurie Mansion. Supposedly, the curse affects anyone who owns the house, causing bad luck and other woes. Believers in this curse cite Nicolas Cage as one of the more recent victims, claiming that after he bought the house, he suffered a string of financial losses and career troubles. 

How did he break the curse? According to some stories, Cage visited a psychic, believing he was cursed by the home. He acquired a pyramid-shaped tomb for himself in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, hoping its proximity to voodoo queen Marie Laveau would bring him luck. 

LaLaurie Mansion Photos

Many have taken photos of the LaLaurie Mansion’s exterior, hoping to spy a ghostly apparition peeking through the image. The outside of the mansion is still stunning despite its shocking history. Its imposing shape stands at three stories tall, featuring classic wrought-iron balconies gracing the second story and arched windows on the top floor.

When the historic house was rebuilt in 1938 by Pierre Trastour, it took on a new appearance, adding a third floor and reflecting an antebellum Empire style of architecture. Various renovations have occurred over the years, including the addition of a second floor to the rear building on Gov. Nicholls Street in the 20th century. 

The interior of the LaLaurie mansion has remained somewhat mysterious, given few are ever allowed inside. Although American Horror Story: Coven used the story of the LaLaurie Mansion for inspiration, it was filmed at the Gallier House, located just down the street. 

Here’s what is known about the inside: As covered in one of our TikToks, the more than 10,000-square-foot estate contains eight bedrooms and bathrooms, a billiards room, double parlors, and a wine cellar. Its grand decor is said to reflect its opulent yet spooky atmosphere. 

On the second story resides the expansive kitchen and dining room, along with a wrap-around balcony showcasing the New Orleans street outside. Whatever spirits may be lurking inside have undoubtedly been much amused by the passersby below. 

How To See the LaLaurie Mansion

Although there are no Madame LaLaurie house tour tickets available for purchase to take you inside the home, you can still stop by on a ghost tour with NOLA Ghosts to view the opulent mansion from the outside. Until the home becomes open for a LaLaurie house tour (if it ever does), recounting the terrifying tales of what occurred inside from the safety of the street below will have to suffice. 

Hungry for more tortured tales and uncanny locations? Take a stroll over to our blog, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more forays into the darkness. 

Sources:

1. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/new-orleans-haunted-lalaurie-mansion-dark-history/article_78aac250-3dff-11ef-ab08-134719c26ab8.html 
2. https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1492
3. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/a-torture-chamber-is-uncovered-by-arson
4. https://screenrant.com/nic-cage-real-life-haunted-house-horror-movie/
5. https://www.architecturaldigest.com/video/watch/walking-tour-architect-tours-new-orleanss-most-haunted-houses
6. https://www.natalijaugrina.com/post/the-haunting-legacy-of-lalaurie-mansion-nicolas-cage-and-the-pyramid-tomb-of-new-orleans
7. https://www.wanderingcrystal.com/nicolascageneworleans/
8. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/nicolas-cage-s-pyramid-tomb
9. https://www.hnoc.org/vcs/property_info.php?lot=22782-30
10. https://prcno.org/what-really-happened-at-the-lalaurie-house/
11. https://robbreport.com/shelter/vacation-homes/nicolas-cage-la-laurie-mansion-new-orleans-for-sale-1235702623/