Things to do in New Orleans – Visit the Degas House

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“Louisiana must be respected by all her children,…and I am almost one of them.” 

~Edgar Degas to Henri Rouart, 1872

Historical Marker Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

For a unique experience in New Orleans, consider visiting the Degas House, the former Musson-De Gas family residence.  It was here that Edgar Degas, reportedly the only French Impressionist to live and work in the United States, stayed during a brief visit with his mother’s family.  And it’s here where you get to know a little about this world-renowned artist and his time in New Orleans.

Edgar Degas was 38 years old and suffering from difficulties with his eyesight when he arrived in New Orleans in 1872.  His visit here would last five months and result in a series of 18 paintings now referred to as his New Orleans Collection.

Exterior Front View Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

Designated a Historic House Museum, the Degas House dates to the mid-19th century when it was built as a single mansion; the private residence of architect and developer Benjamin Rodriguez.  Consisting now of two separate buildings, the Degas House prides itself on being the only home or studio of Edgar Degas open to the public.  And though serving as a Bed & Breakfast, tours of the home are available.

 Edgar Degas Timeline Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

Your tour begins, in the secondary house, with a short film about Degas, his family, and the events occurring in New Orleans at the time of his visit. You’ll also see a timeline of the artist’s life,

 Model Original Mansion Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

and a model of the original residence, as well as some furnishings original to the Musson family home.

Sitting Room Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

The tour continues to the main house, where you’ll walk through the ground level sitting rooms before making your way upstairs.

Accessing the Upper Gallery Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

DegasSeatedWomanOnBalconyNewOrleans       Location of Woman Seated on a Balcony Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

On the second floor, you’ll step out onto the gallery to see where Degas sat with his cousin Mathilde Musson to paint Woman Seated on a Balcony.

Degas - Fußpflege      Josephine Bedroom Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

From here, continue to the Josephine Room where it’s believed he painted The Pedicure (Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France).

Edgard Degas Bedroom Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

Once the tour of the Main House is complete, you’ll return to the secondary house to visit Degas’ bedroom (a replica) and the Museum Gift Shop.

It’s worth noting that the tour of this elegant 19th century residence is less about the house itself, and more about the story of Degas and his time in New Orleans.  The house is the backdrop for this story, and what you’re really paying for is a chance to see where he painted his New Orleans Collection.

This was a really enjoyable tour.  The price, however, is not cheap.  Despite this, we highly recommend the Degas House as a stop during your visit to New Orleans, especially for fans of art history, the works of Edgar Degas, and the French Impressionist movement.

Other works in Degas’ New Orleans Collection include:

Madame René de Gas

Madame René de Gas, 1872/1873 – National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Degas Estelle Flower Arrrangement New Orleans

Portrait of Estelle Musson Degas Arranging Flowers, 1872 – New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans, Louisiana

Edgar Germain Hilaire Degas 016

A Cotton Office in New Orleans, 1873 – Museé des Beaux Arts de Pau, Pau, France

Cotton Merchants in New Orleans by Edgar Degas 1873

Cotton Merchants in New Orleans, 1873 – Fogg Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Edgar Degas - La répétition de chant

The Song Rehearsal, 1872/1873 – Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, Washington, D.C.

Getting there:

The Edgar Degas House is located at 2306 Esplanade Avenue, north of the French Quarter.  The easiest way to get there is by taxi (Fare = ~$9.00 from French Quarter).  A cheaper alternative is public transit (RTA Bus 91: Rampart & St Ann to Esplanade & N Tonti).  We DO NOT recommend walking to the Degas House.

Pain Perdu Breakfast Degas House New Orleans Louisiana

Ticket Info:

Degas House Tour = $29.00

Degas House Tour + Creole Breakfast = $50.00

Travel tips:

The easiest way to get there is by taxi.

If you choose the tour + breakfast option, we highly recommend the Bananas Foster Pain Perdu (French toast topped with caramelized bananas).


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2 Comments

  1. Can’t believe I didn’t know about the Degas House when we were in New Orleans. Just means another visit is in order, I think – we’ve been wanting to see more of this unusual American city anyway.

    • Mikestravelguide

      Hi Sophie, We hope you get another chance to do more exploring in New Orleans. It is unusual, but very colorful and rich in culture 🙂

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