Old Ursuline Convent Museum: Visit the New Pope Leo XIV Exhibit in New Orleans' French Quarter
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; involves short, mostly flat walks and standing while viewing exhibits.
Overview
Step into a cool, historic courtyard and into the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. The Old Ursuline Convent’s new Pope Leo XIV exhibit links family histories to New Orleans’ colonial and religious past—ideal for a focused, one- to two-hour cultural stop in the French Quarter.
Old Ursuline Convent Museum: Visit the New Pope Leo XIV Exhibit in New Orleans' French Quarter
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You push through a low, unassuming doorway on Chartres Street and the city’s clamor drops away. Sunlight filters through a fan of orange trees into a walled courtyard where stone benches wear the smoothness of long use. Inside these thick, lime-washed walls the air keeps a different history—salted, sacral, patient. The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley; its rooms still hold traces of 18th-century life, and today a new exhibit links that past to a surprising contemporary figure: Pope Leo XIV, whose maternal lineage threads back to New Orleans.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Buy mobile tickets in advance
Mobile tickets are accepted and sales support the museum; booking ahead secures entry and avoids lines on busy weekends.
Timing for photos
Mid-morning or late afternoon offers soft light in the courtyard and best views of the stained glass in St. Mary’s Church.
Respectful photography
Interior flash and tripods are discouraged to protect artifacts and maintain visitor flow—use natural light and a steady hand.
Accessible visit
The museum is wheelchair and stroller accessible, but historic floors can be uneven—seek staff assistance for the smoothest route.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- House sparrows and mourning doves in the courtyard
- Peregrine falcons sometimes seen on nearby church steeples
History
Constructed between 1745 and 1752, the convent served as a school and hospice run by Ursuline nuns who arrived in 1727 and shaped early civic life in New Orleans.
Conservation
The museum prioritizes preservation of fragile documents and textiles; visitor revenue supports ongoing restoration and educational programs.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Historic floors and cobblestones reward steady soles—avoid thin sandals.
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is key in New Orleans heat; refill stations are limited inside the Quarter.
summer specific
Compact camera or smartphone
Natural light in the courtyard and stained-glass interiors makes for strong photos—no flash.
Light rain jacket
Showers can pop up quickly in spring; a packable jacket keeps you comfortable between stops.
spring specific