A Visit to Houmas House and Garden, New Orleans Plantation

The area around New Orleans has numerous plantations with antebellum mansions that are open to the public but Houmas House offers more than just a grand mansion. It boasts a lush garden developed on 12 acres and includes water features, statuary, diverse vegetation and more. Located about an hour away from New Orleans, the plantation provides a very interesting and enjoyable day trip, with lunch available at a nice on site restaurant with good food and service.

The mansion with its Greek Revival exterior is considered by some to be the “Crown Jewel of Louisiania’s River Road, running between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  The present mansion was begun in 1805 and completed in 1829 but has undergone several changes over the years. The present façade is a restoration begun in 2003 by the present owner who wanted to recreate the experience of visiting the house as it was in 1840 when Houmas was the largest plantation of the Great Sugar Empire of the 1800s and was known as the “Sugar Palace”.

Inside the house in the main foyer, a mural reminds the visitor of the sugar cane past of the plantation, with the owner’s dog standing guard.

Originally, the house looked out on the Mississippi River through an allee of oaks but most of the oaks were lost to the river’s waters and a view of the protective levee has replaced the more romantic river view.

Two Garconierre add a touch of European influence to the ambience. A Garconierre was a building that housed the sons of the plantation owner.

A fountain adorns one wall of the Garconierre.

Two dogs guard its entrance.

Although the house seems to be the main attraction for the average tourist the garden is spectacular and worth a visit on its own. A myriad of water features embellish the garden at every turn.   A quite pond provides a cool, restful retreat near the house.

A fountain and statuary add interest.

Iris and azaleas grow along the banks of the pond.

A brick bridge crosses a narrow part of the pond.

In another part of the garden a waterfall is combined with a pavilion and bridge.

A stream runs down the hill from the waterfall.

A lily pad filled pond forms at the bottom of the hill.

Several large containers held water; this one was planted with waterlilies.

Another one featured statuary.

A small pool with a statue was bursting with colorful flowers.

A round pool with a fountain is found near the restaurant and visitor center.

Nearby a rectangular pool is combined with a half round one featuring a tall fountain.

Parterres add formality to the area.

Some bushes are being transformed into topiaries.

A tall arbor was covered over by climbing vines.

Seating is provided in various areas so you can stop and rest.

This pair of butterfly backed benches is hard to resist.

Or, how about this rustic grouping?

The fences are worth noting too. Here twigs form the design.

Cattails make up this fence.

Statues are an important part of the garden. Some is classical in design.

Others are modern like this metal one.

This figure gives an Asian touch to this clump of roses.

A playful look is given to a lawn by these children.

Many animals are includes like these lions.

This winged lion is also a planter.

The owners dog is immortalized with a statue.

Or how about these alligators on the edge of the pond?

And these light hearted dragon fly.

We visited Houmas House and garden in early April and enjoyed the cool weather and abundant vegetation of spring that comes early to Louisiana. A visit later in the spring would probably include many more flowers but as the spring turns into summer, the high temperatures and humidity could be a problem. Both the water features and the benches in the shade would certainly take on a whole new importance.  When ever you visit the garden will be lovely so put it on your list of places to visit when in New Orleans.