Gallier House

What to know

Completed in 1860, Gallier House served as the private family residence for the famed Crescent City architect James Gallier Jr. This Victorian French Quarter townhouse is distinguished by its innovative engineering for the era, featuring a double skylight and indoor plumbing that provided both hot and cold running water. Visitors can identify the home from the street by its iconic Paris Green gate. The interior of the residence is characterized by ornate décor, which was recreated using the original household inventory to reflect the refined tastes of the Gallier family. Beyond the luxury, the site includes intact attached slave quarters and a classic courtyard, serving as a physical record of the social hierarchies of the 19th century. Managed by The Woman's Exchange of New Orleans—a nonprofit established in 1881—the house provides critical historical context regarding the labor that supported the owners' lifestyle. Tours specifically interpret the lives of enslaved people and later domestic servants. Historical records identify four enslaved individuals—Laurette, Rose, Julienne, and François—who lived and worked at the house between 1860 and 1865. Today, the site also hosts exhibitions and programming, and it houses an extension of The Exchange Shop. Together with the Hermann-Grima House, it represents the evolution of life in New Orleans from the 1830s through the 1920s.

Visitor tips

• Reservations are encouraged for tours to ensure entry.
• The house is closed on Tuesdays, so plan your visit between Wednesday and Monday.
• Allow extra time to visit the extension of The Exchange Shop located on-site.

Nearby context

Located at 1132 Royal Street, Gallier House is a cornerstone of the Royal Street corridor, known for its galleries and antiques. It is managed alongside the Hermann-Grima House, which is located at 820 Saint Louis Street, together offering a comprehensive look at New Orleans' residential history.