The Cabildo
El Cabildo
The Spanish colonial city hall beside the cathedral, where the 1803 Louisiana Purchase was formally transferred. It is now a state museum.
El Cabildo was built in 1795 to 1799 as the seat of the Spanish colonial government. In 1803, the ceremony transferring Louisiana from France to the United States took place here. It is now part of the Louisiana State Museum, with three floors of exhibits covering the history from the Native American, French, and Spanish colonial periods to the American era. Its collection includes Napoleon's death mask. The Presbytère, on the other side of the cathedral, hosts exhibits on Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina, and a combined ticket is available. Closed on Mondays.
Opening hours
Tue–Sun 10:00–16:30
Nearby sights
- St. Louis Cathedral
- Jackson Square
- French Quarter
- Preservation Hall
- Royal Street
- Café du Monde
- Bourbon Street
- The Historic New Orleans Collection