If you’re looking for a unique ‘southern plantation’ experience, consider visiting the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens. Situated along the Great Mississippi River Road, this former sugar plantation is open to the public for guided tours and gives visitors a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle of Louisiana’s former Sugar Barons.
The property has seen a succession of owners, from the Houmas Indians who inhabited the land prior to its development as a sugar plantation, to notable war heroes and wealthy planters such as General Wade Hampton (he started construction on the mansion), Colonel John Smith Preston (Hampton’s son-in-law, he completed construction on the mansion), and Irishman John Burnside (he built one of the largest sugar enterprises in Louisiana). Each, in turn, building upon what his predecessor accomplished. The buildings you’ll see include the twin Garconierres (one of which houses the Turtle Bar), the original 18th century French Provincial plantation home, the impressive mid-19th century Greek Revival-style Mansion, and several additions made by the current owner; all surrounded by 38 acres of lush gardens.
The antebellum Mansion today holds a remarkable eclectic and whimsical collection of furnishings, decorative items, and artifacts; some assembled from other historic homes across the South. Your tour begins here, where you’ll enter into the main hallway decorated with a painted ceiling and murals of the cane fields and the owner’s dogs on the walls. Of particular interest is an antique reference map of Louisiana (discovered hidden away in the attic), showing the locations and owners of Louisiana’s plantations in the mid-19th century.
To the left of the entry hall are the ‘red rooms’, which include the Dining Room, decorated with a gilded mirror above the fireplace and a candle chandelier above the table;
and the Ladies’ Parlor, which houses a Steinway piano.
To the right of the hallway are the ‘green rooms’, which include the Gentlemen’s Parlor, of note here is a silver statue of Seated Lincoln by sculptor Gutzon Borglum;
and the Billiards Room, the focal point of which, is the pool table (said to be so heavy that the floor had to be reinforced to hold its weight). Note the ornate light fixture above the pool table.
In the vestibule you’ll see the graceful helix spiral staircase leading to the second floor rooms.
These include the Bette Davis suite, named for the actress who starred in Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte (filmed here in the early 1960s), this room features a canopied four-poster bed;
the current owner’s private bedroom, and his office (note the traveling liquor box said to have been used by Andrew Jackson.)
While on the second floor, step out onto the veranda for views of the ancient oaks and the Mississippi River levee in the distance.
A third floor, closed to visitors, consists of the rooms that served as the children’s quarters, and a room used solely by the lady of the house. This floor is now used by the Houmas House staff.
Your tour also allows a visit to the 18th century French Provincial House, attached to the Mansion via a carriageway. On the first floor, you’ll see the plantation kitchen, dating mostly to 1774.
The second floor houses Latil’s Landing Restaurant, offering dinner several evenings per week. Other restaurants on the plantation grounds include the casual Cafe’ Burnside, open for lunch;
and The Carriage House, serving breakfast, afternoon tea, and dinner.
During our visit, we had dinner at the Carriage House and enjoyed the Bloody Mary Shrimp Cocktail, Hazelnut and Bleu Cheese Salad, House-Made Lobster Ravioli, and Zapp’s Potato Chip Crusted Grouper with Grits. For dessert, a delicious berry cobbler with homemade ice cream.
The Houmas House tells a different story and your experience here will not be the same as at other plantation homes in the area. As a private residence the home reflects, in its unique way, more of the current owner’s tastes rather than that of the original residents. We think that’s a good thing. And added to that Houmas House offers several places onsite where you can get good food at less than outrageous prices and a tour package that includes round-trip bus transportation from New Orleans.
Getting There:
Houmas House Plantation is located at 40136 LA-942, in Darrow, about 60 miles from New Orleans.
Ticket Info:
Adult Admission (Mansion + Gardens) = $24.00
Adult Admission (Gardens + Grounds) = $15.00
Adult Admission (Old South Tours Package) = $59.00; includes round-trip transportation from the French Quarter.
Travel tip:
If traveling without a car, we recommend the Old South Tours Package, which includes round trip bus fare (they’ll pick you up at your hotel) and admission to the plantation. For more information, contact Old South Tours at 877-303-1776.
Summary
Reviewer
Mike Young
Review Date
Reviewed Item
The Houmas House
Author Rating
Houmas House is wonderful, but I don’t consider 1.5 hour drive from the French Quarter “near New Orleans.” Just a personal opinion.