I think of the three or so plantation tours I've done in New Orleans, this has been my favorite…read more The grounds, while very comprehensive and complete, are not the fanciest (a la Southern Oaks Plantation). However, the tour itself is the very very best.
I had a local native, Renee, as my tour guide, and she is an 18-year veteran at giving the tours. Since it's just her, they only offer Mon-Sat 11:30 and 2pm tours. (She gets a little half hour lunch break in there.)
+ Experienced local guide
+ Tour includes Creole era (1700s French/German), Antebellum era (Louisiana purchase/slaves/America), post-war through Great Depression, after the Great Depression (restoration of house and grounds)
+ Comprehensive grounds with the original slave quarters, kitchen, garconnieres, pidgeon houses, 1900s boxwood gardens, Creole interior, and Greek Revival exterior
+ Owner cares for main house and is an avid period furniture collector
+ Senior discounts
- Cash only
- Limited tours (11:30am, 2pm, no Sundays)
Renee is half Creole and half American. To me, it was always hard to understand what is a Creole vs. a Cajun or American. She does a great job of explaining it all: the relevant time periods, the change in ownership, the architectural and garden additions, the functions and placements of the various buildings, and even the difference in slave treatment during the Creole vs Antebellum periods.
You can take pictures everywhere except the interior of the house, as it is still in use by the owner.
As a history buff and a little bit of a school nerd, this was by far my favorite plantation tour in the Vacherie region.