New Orleans' rich history made for the perfect setting for season three of American Horror Story: Coven. From the spine-chilling magic of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau to the unspeakable acts of deranged mass murderer Delphine LaLaurie, these figures weren't just characters in a TV show; they were real people who lived out their days in The Big Easy, leaving their mark on the city forever.
While AHS took a few artistic liberties — Laveau and LaLaurie weren't sworn enemies; in fact, they weren't even alive during the same time period — the show got several things right — in addition to crafting Gris-Gris bags for healing and good luck, Marie Laveau really was a hairdresser and Delphine LaLaurie was indeed as dark and sinister as portrayed.
If you're planning a trip and are wondering where American Horror Story filmed in New Orleans, you'll want to add these stops to your Coven-inspired sightseeing wishlist.
Marie Laveau's Tomb
Nestled in the famed St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, you'll need to join a tour group to experience this piece of living history as it's closely monitored by the archdioceses of New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries. Now you might be wondering, what is the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans doing buried in a Catholic cemetery? A great question, and you might be surprised to find that Marie Laveau was a devout Catholic all her life who did not find it unusual to incorporate traditional Voodoo rituals into her spiritual practice. Laveau became an important religious leader in the area as she led weekly ceremonial meetings and worked closely with individual clients in addition to performing acts of community service.
LaLaurie Mansion
Referred to by locals at the time as the "Cruel Mistress of the Haunted House," Delphine LaLaurie and her home on Royal Street will forever go down in history as of one of New Orleans’ most disturbing discoveries. Part of a wealthy and politically powerful family, Delphine was married three times and owned slaves. It wasn't until she and her husband Louis LaLaurie began having martial disputes that she was rumored to have gone mad.
On April 10, 1834, a large fire consumed the LaLaurie Mansion in the middle of a lavish dinner party, revealing seven slaves who were tortured, chained and starved on the third floor of the building. The slaves had suffered inhumane experiments; most of which are not fit for print. Appalled by the horrors within LaLaurie Mansion, townspeople gathered and rioted in a rage, destroying and looting the home until there was nearly nothing left. And what happened to Delphine LaLaurie? Amidst the chaos, she managed to escape and is rumored to have lived out the rest of her days in Europe, never paying for her sins.
Hermann-Grima House
Considering the LaLaurie Mansion is believed to be cursed, it was probably in the AHS crew's best interest that scenes depicting the home were filmed off-site at the Hermann-Grima House. A well-preserved and restored 19th-century home, the Hermann-Girma House was home to many generations of families before becoming the popular St. Louis Street tourist hotspot it is today.
Buckner Mansion
Also known as Miss Robichaux's Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies, the Buckner Mansion acted as the beloved Coven house of season three. This must-see residence is located in New Orleans' stunning garden district among lush greenery and historic homes.
Built in 1856, the Buckner Mansion was previously owned by Henry Sullivan Buckner, a cotton boss of the Mississippi. The home features a unique cast-iron fence, 48 fluted columns and three ballrooms. Since this is spooky New Orleans, it's also worth mentioning that the mansion is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Miss Josephine, a slave from Civil War times. Miss Josephine is a friendly ghost and people have reported sounds of her sweeping the stairs followed by the scent of fresh lemon in the foyer.
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