The Hermann-Grima House is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best-preserved examples of Federal-style architecture in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana.
This guide was updated in August 2026. You can book through Viator to secure your guided tour in advance.
Quick facts: Hermann-Grima House
| Address | 820 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, LA 70112 |
| Opening hours | Open 6 days a week, 10am–4pm; closed Tuesdays |
| Tour times | 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm (no 12pm tour) |
| Admission | Adult $20; Military/Senior/Student/Children 8–18 $17; under 8 free |
| Nearest transit | St. Charles or Canal streetcar, then a short walk |
| Typical visit | Around 1 hour |
Opening hours for the Hermann-Grima House
The House is open six days a week, from 10am to 4pm, and closed on Tuesdays. Guided tours run on the hour, at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm, with no tour at noon. The House also opens on New Year’s Eve but closes for New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Thursday before Mardi Gras through Ash Wednesday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. It’s worth checking the House’s social media for any last-minute closures before you visit.
Ticket prices for the Hermann-Grima House
All prices are in US dollars. A discounted combination ticket covers both the Hermann-Grima House and the nearby Gallier House.
| Ticket | One museum | Both museums |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $20 | $34 |
| Military, Senior (65+), Student (18+), or Children 8–18 | $17 | $29 |
| Children under 8 | Free | Free |
Multiple discounts can’t be combined. Group tours are welcome with advance booking at a discounted rate. Reservations are encouraged given the limited number of tour slots each day, and you can book tickets in advance through Viator to guarantee your preferred time.
Why book Hermann-Grima House tickets?
- 🏛️ A National Historic Landmark: Built in 1831, among the earliest examples of American architectural influence in the French Quarter.
- 🎟️ A working open-hearth kitchen: One of the few functional examples left in Louisiana.
- 🌿 The French Quarter’s last intact stable: A rare survivor from the neighbourhood’s working past.
- 📜 An award-winning Urban Enslavement Tour: Recognised by Condé Nast Traveler as one of New Orleans’s best tours.
- 💰 Free entry for under-8s: The youngest visitors join every tour at no charge.
How to get to the Hermann-Grima House
By streetcar, take the St. Charles line and disembark at Carondelet and Canal Streets, then cross Canal onto Bourbon Street and continue to St. Louis Street, turning left. The Canal streetcar works similarly, stopping at Bourbon and Canal Streets before the same short walk. On foot, the House is within easy walking distance of most French Quarter hotels, a few blocks from Bourbon Street.
Parking at the Hermann-Grima House
Neither the Hermann-Grima House nor the nearby Gallier House has on-site parking, and street parking in the French Quarter is limited and closely regulated. The closest paid lots are two blocks away, at the corner of Conti and Rampart Streets, or at St. Louis and Rampart Streets.
5 great experiences in New Orleans to book today
- 🎷 Steamboat Natchez jazz cruise – Go for a jazz cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez.
- 🍤 French Quarter food tour – Take a French Quarter food tour and discover Louisiana’s distinctive Cajun and Creole cuisine.
- 🐊 Swamp and bayou boat tour – Enjoy a swamp and bayou boat tour with a quieter boat for better wildlife sightings.
- 👻 New Orleans’ dark side – On a tour of New Orleans’ dark side, uncover ghosts, vampires, crime and voodoo.
- 🏛️ Whitney Plantation tour – Hear the true stories of slavery on a Whitney Plantation tour with transport from New Orleans.
How long to spend at the Hermann-Grima House
Guided tours run around an hour. Since tours depart at set times with no slot at noon, it’s worth timing your visit around the schedule rather than arriving whenever suits.
5 great experiences in New Orleans to book today
- 🎷 Steamboat Natchez jazz cruise – Go for a jazz cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez.
- 🍤 French Quarter food tour – Take a French Quarter food tour and discover Louisiana’s distinctive Cajun and Creole cuisine.
- 🐊 Swamp and bayou boat tour – Enjoy a swamp and bayou boat tour with a quieter boat for better wildlife sightings.
- 👻 New Orleans’ dark side – On a tour of New Orleans’ dark side, uncover ghosts, vampires, crime and voodoo.
- 🏛️ Whitney Plantation tour – Hear the true stories of slavery on a Whitney Plantation tour with transport from New Orleans.
Accessibility at the Hermann-Grima House
Reports on wheelchair accessibility currently conflict: some ticket resellers describe the House as fully accessible, while others state it isn’t accessible at all. Given the historic 1831 building’s original stairs and courtyard surfaces, it’s worth contacting the museum directly in advance if you or someone in your group has mobility needs. Service animals are welcome throughout.
What to see inside the Hermann-Grima House
The main house was built in 1831 for Samuel Hermann, a German-born commodities merchant, and later owned by the Grima family from 1844 to 1921. Its Federal-style design, adapted with balconies for the local climate, ranks among the earliest examples of American architectural influence in the French Quarter.
The parlors, dining room, and bedrooms are furnished throughout with period pieces, roughly half of which can be traced back to the original Hermann and Grima families.
The open-hearth kitchen, one of the few still functioning in Louisiana, is within the Slave Quarters building and hosts cooking demonstrations twice a month on Saturdays, from November through April.
The stable, the only original and intact example remaining in the French Quarter, gives a rare look at the working side of a wealthy 19th-century household.
The Slave Quarters housed the kitchen, ironing room, washroom, and wine room on the ground floor, with the upper floors used as living quarters for the enslaved people who worked on the property. One of these upstairs bedrooms has been restored and is included on the tour.
The Urban Enslavement Tour, a specialised guided option, examines the specific experience of urban enslavement in New Orleans and its lasting influence on the city, and has been recognised by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the city’s best tours.
Practical visitor tips for the Hermann-Grima House
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Reserve your tour time | Tours run on the hour, Wednesday to Monday, with no slot at noon. |
| Combine with Gallier House | A discounted combination ticket covers both historic houses. |
| Wear shoes and a shirt | Both are required for entry to the House. |
| Check nearby parking early | Neither house has on-site parking, so nearby lots can fill up. |
| Book ahead for a smooth visit | Advance booking is recommended; book through Viator to guarantee your slot. |
FAQ: Hermann-Grima House
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the House open every day? | No, it’s closed on Tuesdays, plus several public holidays including Christmas Eve and Day. |
| Can I visit without a guide? | No, entry is by guided tour only, led by a trained museum docent. |
| Is the House wheelchair accessible? | Sources currently disagree; contact the museum directly if you have specific mobility needs. |
| Can I take photos inside? | Yes, cameras without tripods or flash are permitted, though video and audio recording aren’t. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended, especially for popular tour times; you can book through Viator to guarantee your slot. |
Things to do near the Hermann-Grima House
Gallier House, managed by the same organisation, is a Victorian French Quarter townhouse a short walk away on Royal Street. St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square anchor the heart of the French Quarter a few blocks towards the river. The Cabildo, part of the Louisiana State Museum, is beside the Cathedral and covers the state’s colonial history. The Historic New Orleans Collection houses a wide-ranging archive and gallery space nearby on Royal Street. The French Market, one of the oldest public markets in the country, offers food and shopping a short walk from the riverfront.
What to visit tomorrow: more historic Southern house museums
Whitney Plantation, around an hour away, is known for centring the experiences of enslaved people through first-person narratives and memorials. Oak Alley Plantation, also about an hour away, is famous for its avenue of live oak trees leading to the main house. Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, in St. Francisville, is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away and preserves both its house and extensive formal gardens.
More New Orleans travel
Other New Orleans travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Embrace local food and drink culture at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.
- Planning your trip to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
- See the costumes and floats in progress at Mardi Gras World.
- Learn about Louisiana’s history at The Cabildo.
- Plan your visit to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans.
