The Cabildo 🇺🇸

You will find the historic Cabildo situated along Jackson Square in New Orleans, Louisiana, standing proudly right next to St. Louis Cathedral. Originally constructed between 1795 and 1799 as the home of the Spanish municipal government after a devastating fire destroyed the original building, this landmark has witnessed monumental events in American history. As you visit, you are stepping into the very building where the historic Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies took place late in 1803.

Today, the Cabildo forms part of the Louisiana State Museum, offering fascinating exhibits that detail Louisiana's rich history from its earliest settlement straight through the Reconstruction Era. Inside, you can explore the heritage of the diverse ethnic groups who settled in the state. Don't miss the main hall, known as the Sala Capitular, which served as a courtroom for the Louisiana Supreme Court and hosted landmark legal proceedings, including the famous Plessy v. Ferguson case.

Look up at the building's exterior to admire the third-floor French-style mansard roof added in 1847, along with sculptor Pietro Cardelli's American eagle and cannonballs. Preserved through local determination and restored after a major 1988 fire, a visit here delivers an authentic journey into Louisiana's storied past.

What to see at The Cabildo

• The historic Sala Capitular courtroom, site of Plessy v. Ferguson
• Exhibits tracing Louisiana history from settlement through the Reconstruction Era
• Exterior facade featuring Pietro Cardelli's American eagle and cannonballs
• The 1847 French-style mansard roof and cupola architecture
• Displays detailing the heritage of Louisiana's diverse ethnic groups

Visiting tips

Be sure to take in the building's historic facade along Jackson Square before exploring the courtroom and historical exhibits inside.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

The Cabildo is easy to reach on New Orleans’s public transport, and pairs naturally with St. Louis Cathedral and New Orleans Museum of Art. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our New Orleans travel guide.