Ursuline Convent

I was able to visit the Ursuline Convent via an evening event so I was only able to view the garden and not the interior of the convent itself.
The garden is a gem and truly beautiful.
It’s been decades since catholic school in a convent, but if I remember correctly, one of the purposes of going to a convent is to remove yourself from the secular and materialistic world and meditate to improve your spirituality and become closer to God.
If so, well done Ursuline Convent. Walking in to this property, you would not believe that drunken carousing is happening just outside the walls. Located in the French Quarter, albeit several blocks from the concentration of bars on Bourbon Street, the surprising tranquility within the walls made me forget about the chaos outside and allowed me to take a long deep serene breath.
Walking around, I was reminded of the Carnavalet Musee in Paris, known for its manicured lawns and hedges. The familiarity I felt was not visual (before you start sending me messages telling me there’s no comparison) but the feeling of peace and tranquility.
I know most French Quarter visitors come for the unbridled reveling. But you must visit the Ursuline Convent if you can.

Christmas Eve, 3:30 PM. I’ve pretty much missed the boat on visiting this historic site. From the outside I can tell it’s been well preserved. According to the National Park Service, this is the finest surviving example of French colonial public architecture in the country.
It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
The convent and its associated school, Ursuline Academy, moved downriver to a site on Dauphine Street in the 9^th Ward in 1824, turning over the original convent to the Bishop of New Orleans. It was then referred to as the «Archbishop’s Palace». In 1912 the convent moved uptown to State Street.
Constructed by French Colonial Engineers under the auspices of the crown, the convent was designed in 1745 and completed in 1752 – 1753. Over the centuries, this building has been a convent for the Ursuline nuns, a school, an archbishop’s residence, the archdiocesan central office, a meeting place for the Louisiana Legislature. Later, it served as a residence for priests serving mainly the Italian community and then housed the Archdiocesan Archives. Today, together with the St. Louis Cathedral and St. Mary’s Church, it forms the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
Too bad I missed out but with better planning next time, I’ll be first in line for their self guided tour!

The history of this place is fascinating. Based on some of the other reviews here, I think I was lucky in that the day I visited, there was a docent named Rosalie who gave several of us an informal tour of the museum. She was incredibly informative and because of her, the convent visit was the highlight of my day. Seek her out if you go there – it will be worth your while.

Best $ 5 I spent on this trip. The convent was beautiful and has a rich history. The self guided tour was very educational. I went with some friends, but would go back with my parents (and kids one day!)

This is a self guided museum of the former Ursuline Convent. There isn’t much information past specific Church held deeds and land records. The church itself is beautiful and warrants the visit. However, don’t expect much from the museum side as its rather sparse and uninformative.

5 bucks well spent.
1. AC
2. Bathrooms
I’m an atheist so haven’t really spent much time in catholic churches or convents but it was really beautiful. The buildings and the gardens were meticulously maintained. It’s the oldest building in the French Quarter.

Though I am glad I checked it off my list, (have walked past many times) would not recommend it unless you’ve been to French Quarter a lot and are running out of new things to do. It’s relaxing and cool on a hot day. Located directly across from Beauregard-​Keyes house. Has a pretty church inside which can be rented out for weddings. Staff was very friendly and helpful. There really isn’t much to see there.

This is a self guided tour. The church is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! Well worth the $ 5 to see a bit of NOLA history!!!

VATICAN MOSAIC EXHIBITION — Titled «An Evolution of the Human Spirit as Seen though Mosaic Art».
Back in January 2007, the Ursuline Convent housed the Vatican Mosaic Exhibition, which was hosted by the Catholic Cultural Heritage Center of the Archdiocese of New Orleans Thirty seven (37) priceless mosaics from the Vatican Mosaic studio were on display. Each one was representative of an art form practiced by Vatican artisans using techniques that dated back to the the 15^th century.
Along with the 37 works of mosaic art, there was also a master teacher of the art from the Studio’s faculty. He was conducting workshops for 60 New Orleans-​area school children. Each of the children, ranging in age from l0 to 18, was chosen from among private, parochial and public schools with recommendations coming from the schools creative departments. In addition, 15 adults from the community were chosen to participate in nightly workshops lasting four days over two-​week periods.
Proceeds from the exhibition helped support the restoration and preservation of the Old Ursuline Convent.
I have attached several pics of the mosaic for all to see.
Enjoy!

Right next to the cathedral in the French Quarters. Some interesting history here around the first nuns who came here and the building itself. A little underwhelmed after seeing the beautiful cathedral next door but a decent option if you want to spend around 45 mts looking around.

Ursuline convent is a great stop to make on a sunny New Orleans day. The convent itself is a gorgeous building and the surrounding gardens and statues are quite beautiful as well. Although they set up tours for schools and large groups, there is no individual tour to sign up for. However, if you pay the admission to go into the convent and it is a day where the sweet ladies that volunteer there have no other group; they are more than happy to tell you the fascinating story of the Ursuline nuns and their great contribution to the city of New Orleans. The building contains beautiful religious artifacts such as paintings and statues. Ask them about the original cypress staircase or the clock that stands in the entrance. If you ask the right questions politely, these ladies can give you a wealth of information.

This building was built as an Ursuline Convent on the site of an older convent in the middle of the New Orleans French Quarter, and is still owned by the Church and welcomes visitors as a museum.
There are a few interesting things to see, and the building itself is beautiful.
Unfortunately though the whole experience is a massive missed opportunity. The Ursuline sisters’ story is a fascinating one — sent over by the French crown to aid the settlers, they used to receive the French women sent over to marry the male colonists while also working with the local community and idigenous peoples. They struggled against adversity from all sides. Fascinating stuff.
But this ‘museum’ tells you nothing about any of this, instead presenting a dry and uninteresting collection of memorabilia, failing to connect any of it together or give any kind of social history. It would take so little to make this a fascinating destination, but they’ve fallen flat.
You’d be better off just reading your guide book.