Laura Plantation

The Basics

Tour Laura Plantation to learn the difference between Creoles and Cajuns, hear ghost stories, and learn about the family who founded the plantation in 1804. There is also a permanent exhibit that recounts the personal stories of the plantation’s slaves. When it opened to the public in 1994, Laura Plantation became the first historic attraction in Louisiana to feature the stories of enslaved Africans. Guided tours explore the mansion, slave quarters, gardens, and fields.

Things to Know Before You Go

• You must join a guided tour to see the property.

• Children 5 and under enter for free, but due to the subject matter, tours are best suited for ages 12 and up.

• The plantation holds a limited number of tours in French and offers written translations in French, Spanish, Italian, and German.

• Strollers are permitted on the property, but there are no elevators or ramps.

• Bring bottled water and a fan if visiting during the summer months, as well as a poncho or umbrella if rain is in the forecast.

• Wear comfortable shoes for walking around the grounds.

• Because of the region’s high humidity, temperatures in the winter months may feel much cooler than you would anticipate, so bring warm clothing.

How to Get There

Located on the Mississippi River, about an hour’s drive from New Orleans, the Laura Plantation is easiest to reach by car or tour bus: Follow Interstate 10 to Highway 641 South to LA-18 West; the plantation is at the corner of LA-18 and and Field Road. There is free parking on site. Since the plantation is located in a rural area, taxis and ride-share services are not recommended. Some guided plantation tours offer round-trip transportation from New Orleans.

When to Get There

The plantation holds guided tours approximately every 40 minutes from mid-morning until late in the afternoon. The plantation is closed on major holidays. February–May is considered the best time to visit the area.

Oak Alley Plantation

The Oak Alley estate is the kind of traditional Southern plantation popularized in movies, with a majestic walkway lined with oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. Aside from its timeless appearance, the plantation also includes exhibits about slavery and Louisiana history, as well as an on-site theater. Many tours combine visits to Oak Alley and the Laura Plantation.

Why is the Laura Plantation famous?

Laura Plantation is known for its size and its architecture, including a main plantation house built by skilled West African enslaved people, and many outlying buildings. Today, Laura Plantation is also known as one of the first and primary plantations to center the stories of enslaved people.

Who owned the Laura Plantation?

The Laura Plantation was established by Guillaume Duparc in 1804. Duparc was a member of the French navy and a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. The plantation went on to be run by four generations of the family. In 1892, Laura Locoul, who had inherited the plantation, decided to sell it.

Which is better to visit, Oak Alley or the Laura Plantation?

That depends. Oak Alley is one of Louisiana’s best-known historic plantations, a National Historic Landmark notable for its architecture and landscape—including its eponymous oak-lined entryway. Laura Plantation is an excellent option for visiting history buffs and is particularly notable for how it shares stories of the enslaved people who built it.

How big is the Laura Plantation?

The Laura Plantation is sizable. Today spread over approximately 14 acres (5.6 hectares), it’s home to a complex of well-preserved buildings, including 12 on the National Register of Historic Places. The plantation is not as big as in its heyday when it occupied 12,000 acres (4,800 hectares).

How long is the Laura Plantation tour?

Guided tours of the Laura Plantation typically last around 75 minutes (not including the time it takes to drive there—the plantation is roughly 1 hour from New Orleans). It’s strongly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance online. Tours are offered multiple times daily, including several French-language tours.

How should I get to the Laura Plantation from New Orleans?

The best way to get to the Laura Plantation from New Orleans is to drive. The plantation is located roughly 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of the city, and the drive (via I-10 W and LA-3127 N) typically takes around one hour. Unfortunately, public transportation options are limited.

Ways to explore

All visits to the Laura Plantation are via a 75-minute guided tour that offers insight into Louisiana’s complex history, exploring the differences between Creole and Cajun cultures, the lives of the plantation’s founding family, and even ghost stories passed down through generations. Guided tours run throughout the day on scheduled time slots, which are listed on the website when you book your tickets.

For added ease, many travelers opt for packages that include round-trip transportation from New Orleans. These can be coach or small-group tours and often combine multiple stops—such as the nearby Whitney Plantation—for a broader look at Louisiana’s plantation heritage.

Accessibility

The plantation is partially wheelchair-accessible—including the gift shop and restrooms—but some older parts of the building are inaccessible. Service animals are welcome.

Age limits

None, although the tour is recommended for children over the age of 12 due to the nature of the content presented. Small children can join tours, but parents

What to pack

Bottled water, handheld fan, sun protection, cash to tip your guide, umbrella

What to wear

Comfortable footwear, weather-appropriate clothing (parts of the tour take place outside), waterproof jacket if there may be rain

Not allowed

Alcohol, food, drinks in cups, chewing gum, cell phone use during tours, dogs larger than those that can fit within a pet carrier

Amenities

Free parking, gift shop, refreshments

Address

The Laura Plantation is located in Vacherie, about a 1-hour drive west of New Orleans. Most visitors arrive by car or as part of a guided plantation tour that includes round-trip transport from the city.

Driving

Drive west on I-10 from New Orleans towards Baton Rouge for about one hour, and when you reach Vacherie, follow the signs for the Laura Plantation. Free on-site parking is available, and the rural setting means driving is the easiest way to visit.

Public transportation

Public transportation services don’t typically serve the Laura Plantation directly. Most visitors arrive via guided tours that depart from New Orleans and include round-trip bus or car travel as part of the package.

Best times to visit

Arrive in the morning or early afternoon when temperatures are cooler and guided tours are less crowded.

Best days to visit

Come on a weekday for fewer tour groups compared to weekends.

Best months to visit

Aim for March through May for typically mild weather, or later in the year, such as October or November.

Special events

Festivals and special events: The plantation doesn’t usually host events, but it may be closed for tours during annual celebrations, such as Mardi Gras.