St. Louis CathedralAbout St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral, officially the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, is the Roman Catholic cathedral located on Jackson Square in the French Quarter of New Orleans. The parish traces its origins to the 18th century and the cathedral is a defining landmark of the city center.
A church at this site dates to the early colonial period with successive buildings on the same footprint; the present exterior appearance dates largely to mid-19th-century reconstruction and remodeling. It has functioned as the seat of the local archdiocese and a central place of Catholic worship throughout New Orleans’ history.
The cathedral sits at the upriver end of Jackson Square in the French Quarter, adjacent to the Mississippi River and flanked by historic buildings such as the Cabildo and Presbytère, in central New Orleans.
- Best viewpoint: Faces Jackson Square in the French Quarter, making the plaza and cathedral facade the primary viewpoints for photography and street activity.
- Ecclesiastical seat: The building serves as the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and traces its parish origins to the early 18th century.
Nearby Attractions to St. Louis Cathedral
Best Time to Visit St. Louis Cathedral
Visit outside of peak festival days (Mardi Gras parades) to avoid overwhelmed streets and blocked access to the square.
Weather & Climate near St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 33°C. Abundant rainfall (1640 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 6° - 17° | 12° | 159 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.4h |
| February | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 148 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.0h |
| March | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 137 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.9h |
| April | Very Good | 14° - 26° | 20° | 117 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Excellent | 19° - 30° | 25° | 125 mm | some cloud | 76% | 3.2 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 13.5h |
| June | Good | 22° - 33° | 30° | 141 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 2.8 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Good | 23° - 33° | 32° | 168 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 2.0 very high | 13.7h |
| August | Good | 23° - 33° | 32° | 156 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.1h |
| September | Very Good | 22° - 32° | 27° | 141 mm | some cloud | 78% | 2.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Excellent | 16° - 27° | 22° | 79 mm | mostly sunny | 77% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Excellent | 11° - 23° | 17° | 122 mm | some cloud | 79% | 3.1 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.6h |
| December | Good | 8° - 19° | 13° | 147 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.4 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
How to Get to St. Louis Cathedral
Located on the north side of Jackson Square in the French Quarter. From Canal Street, it’s an easy 10-20 minute walk; multiple streetcar lines (St. Charles) stop a short distance away and numerous local buses serve the Quarter.
Tips for Visiting St. Louis Cathedral
- Go at dawn or late afternoon to catch the light on Jackson Square and avoid the midday crush of street performers.
- Stand on the broad steps and look back toward Jackson Square - the ceremonial choreography of tourists, horse-drawn carriages and street musicians is part of the cathedral's show.
- If interested in sacred music, check local parish notices: the cathedral keeps a strong tradition of choral and organ service music.