New Orleans, Orleans Parish story
A Creole Country Retreat
Tucked away on the banks of Bayou St. John is the Pitot House, a rare glimpse into the elegance of old New Orleans. Built in 1799, it's the only example of a Creole Colonial-style…
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Tucked away on the banks of Bayou St. John is the Pitot House, a rare glimpse into the elegance of old New Orleans. Built in 1799, it's the only example of a Creole Colonial-style country home still open to the public.
Inside, you can feel the layers of history: the ground floor features sturdy brick floors and exposed wood beam ceilings, while the upstairs reveals wide wood planks and Caribbean-influenced colors. The house almost vanished from history, but it was moved in 1964 to save it from demolition. That move actually helped historians, as it uncovered original decorative elements that guided the home's restoration, preserving a piece of West Indies style for the modern world.
Updated June 2026