Take a tour of the only place where you’ll find Marie Laveau’s tomb and Nicolas Cage’s future burial site—St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans. Read on for my review of the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour, and why you should add it to your list of places to visit in New Orleans.

New Orleans St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Tour Review: A Must-See Experience

Tucked just beyond the French Quarter, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is one of New Orleans’ most iconic and enigmatic landmarks. We actually walked there from the French Quarter, but it was a really long walk.

Known for its above-ground tombs, mysterious legends, and celebrity gravesites, this historic cemetery draws visitors from around the world.

The History Behind St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Established in 1789, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. It was built to replace the city’s original burial grounds after a series of devastating fires. In traditional French and Spanish style, the cemetery uses above-ground vaults, a method you usually hear was born out of necessity due to New Orleans’ high water table.

However, our tour guide explained it was more due to cultural traditions and the way the tombs were used. The tombs are regularly reopened to put new relatives inside, one on top of the other. You wouldn’t be able to do that with a traditional in-ground burial plot.

This “City of the Dead” is a compact maze of crumbling tombs, narrow walkways, and centuries-old monuments. It’s also a fascinating reflection of the city’s multicultural roots, including French, Spanish, African, and Creole influences. The cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and continues to be one of the most visited sites in the city.

Famous Residents of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

The cemetery is the final resting place of many notable New Orleanians, including:

• Marie Laveau, the famed “Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.” Her tomb is one of the most visited in the cemetery, often covered in offerings and XXX markings from those seeking good fortune.
• Homer Plessy, the civil rights activist at the center of the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson case.
• Etienne de Boré, the first mayor of New Orleans and a sugar industry pioneer.
• And possibly the most unusual future resident: Nicolas Cage, who purchased a striking white pyramid-shaped tomb for himself in the cemetery.

What You’ll Learn on a Guided Tour

Due to preservation efforts, access to St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is restricted, and you must visit with a licensed tour guide. The visitor center is right across the street, and you can easily purchase tickets there.

On a tour, you’ll learn about:

• The unique burial traditions of New Orleans, including the use of family tombs and the “oven vaults.”
• The influence of Voodoo culture and how it intertwines with the city’s spiritual history.
• The significance of tomb architecture and funerary symbols you’ll spot on the headstones.
• The stories behind the cemetery’s most famous occupants, including legends and lesser-known historical facts.

Many tours also dive into the folklore and ghost stories that shroud the cemetery in mystery, giving visitors a deeper appreciation for the cultural richness and eccentric charm of New Orleans.

New Orleans St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 Tour Review and Tips

Once you book your guided tour, you’ll walk across the street to the cemetery. Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen! There is very little shade on the tour, and it can get really hot and sunny in New Orleans.

There are some spots where they stop to talk, and they’ve set up shade coverings, but you’ll still be in the sun a lot.

The groups are a decent size- big but not so much that you can’t hear the tour guide.

Our guide was both informative and humorous. He explained a lot of about the cemetery and the history of New Orleans.

One thing you will hear over and over when you take any tour, is the history of Marie Laveau and that she was not some evil voodoo queen, but a hairdresser who actually helped a lot of people. And also, possibly a voodoo queen, but one that used her powers more for good.

Why This Tour Belongs on Your New Orleans Itinerary

The St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 tour is about legacy, history, and culture. It’s one of the few places where you can trace the evolution of New Orleans through stone and story. Whether you’re a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or curious traveler, this tour will leave you with a deeper understanding of what makes the Crescent City so hauntingly unforgettable.

If you are wondering why this particular cemetery is only for gravesite owners and guided tours, it’s mostly due to Marie Laveau’s tomb and those 3 X’s you can see on the side in one of the photos above.

The “XXX” marks often found on Marie Laveau’s tomb are rooted in Voodoo tradition and popular legend. Visitors believed that if they drew three X’s (XXX) on her tomb, spun around three times, knocked, and made a wish, Marie Laveau’s spirit would grant it.

Many also leave offerings—like beads, coins, rum, or flowers—as a token of thanks.

This practice wasn’t officially sanctioned and eventually became problematic. Over the years, the tomb suffered severe damage from repeated graffiti and offerings. In 2013, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which oversees the cemetery, banned unaccompanied access and cracked down on the defacement of tombs.

Today, licensed guides stress respectful tourism and discourage marking the tomb. But the legend persists, part of the mystique that surrounds Marie Laveau, New Orleans’ most famous—and still very much present—Voodoo Queen.