THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Explore St. Roch Cemetery on a 90-minute walking tour that pairs local history with a close look at imported statuary and community tradition. Small groups led by Save Our Cemeteries emphasize preservation, context, and respectful access to one of New Orleans’ most evocative burial grounds.
Explore St. Roch Cemetery on a 90-minute walking tour that pairs local history with a close look at imported statuary and community tradition. Small groups led by Save Our Cemeteries emphasize preservation, context, and respectful access to one of New Orleans’ most evocative burial grounds.
A low iron gate opens onto sun-warmed brick and rows of above-ground tombs; live oaks lean in and the air smells faintly of magnolia and city dust. On this 90-minute walking tour through St. Roch Cemetery, the stones and statuary do the talking—stations of the cross carved in Italy keep vigil while neighborhood life hums just beyond the walls.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Save Our Cemeteries · New Orleans, Louisiana
A low iron gate opens onto sun-warmed brick and rows of above-ground tombs; live oaks lean in and the air smells faintly of magnolia and city dust. On this 90-minute walking tour through St. Roch Cemetery, the stones and statuary do the talking—stations of the cross carved in Italy keep vigil while neighborhood life hums just beyond the walls.
Founded in the 19th century and associated with Father Peter Leonard Thevis, St. Roch Cemetery grew from local devotion after a yellow-fever scare and became home to a chapel and a shrine to St. Roch. The cemetery is notable for its imported carved statuary representing the 14 Stations of the Cross and for an annual Good Friday procession that still draws parishioners and visitors. Architecturally it’s a compact example of New Orleans’ vault-and-crypt tradition; geologically the site sits on the low-lying alluvial soils of the Mississippi Delta, which is why above-ground interment dominates.
Expect emphasis on history, small-group narration, and close views of ornate crypts and sculpted stations. Guides from Save Our Cemeteries link ticket revenue to ongoing restoration work, so the tour is both interpretive and conservation-minded.
Practical guidance: the route is flat but uneven—comfortable walking shoes are recommended; the site is wheelchair accessible but surfaces can be bumpy. Bring sun protection and water in summer, and modest clothing out of respect. Photography is allowed; leave flags, flowers, and candles as you find them. Tours are limited to small groups, start at the front gate on St. Roch Ave., and are best booked in advance to ensure a spot.
easy.
1.5 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires walking on flat but sometimes uneven surfaces for the duration of the tour.
The guided tour runs for 90 minutes and covers the cemetery grounds with close-up views of the statuary and chapel.
Yes—Save Our Cemeteries lists the tour as wheelchair accessible, but some surfaces are uneven so check with the operator if you need special assistance.
Infants in strollers are acceptable and service animals are allowed, but non-service pets should remain at home out of respect.
Photography is permitted for personal use; avoid photographing active memorial services and follow the guide’s instructions around delicate artwork.
St. Roch Cemetery grew from a post-epidemic vow in the 19th century; its chapel and imported statuary reflect immigrant craftsmanship and local religious traditions.
Save Our Cemeteries directs tour proceeds toward restoration; visitors are asked to respect fragile monuments and avoid placing items that accelerate deterioration.
Save Our Cemeteries operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A low iron gate opens onto sun-warmed brick and rows of above-ground tombs; live oaks lean in and the air smells faintly of magnolia and city dust. On this 90-minute walking tour through St. Roch Cemetery, the stones and statuary do the talking—stations of the cross carved in Italy keep vigil while neighborhood life hums just beyond the walls.
A low iron gate opens onto sun-warmed brick and rows of above-ground tombs; live oaks lean in and the air smells faintly of magnolia and city dust. On this 90-minute walking tour through St. Roch Cemetery, the stones and statuary do the talking—stations of the cross carved in Italy keep vigil while neighborhood life hums just beyond the walls.
Founded in the 19th century and associated with Father Peter Leonard Thevis, St. Roch Cemetery grew from local devotion after a yellow-fever scare and became home to a chapel and a shrine to St. Roch. The cemetery is notable for its imported carved statuary representing the 14 Stations of the Cross and for an annual Good Friday procession that still draws parishioners and visitors. Architecturally it’s a compact example of New Orleans’ vault-and-crypt tradition; geologically the site sits on the low-lying alluvial soils of the Mississippi Delta, which is why above-ground interment dominates.
Expect emphasis on history, small-group narration, and close views of ornate crypts and sculpted stations. Guides from Save Our Cemeteries link ticket revenue to ongoing restoration work, so the tour is both interpretive and conservation-minded.
Practical guidance: the route is flat but uneven—comfortable walking shoes are recommended; the site is wheelchair accessible but surfaces can be bumpy. Bring sun protection and water in summer, and modest clothing out of respect. Photography is allowed; leave flags, flowers, and candles as you find them. Tours are limited to small groups, start at the front gate on St. Roch Ave., and are best booked in advance to ensure a spot.