Houmas House Plantation and Gardens, Historic plantation and gardens in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, US
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is a historic estate along the Mississippi River in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The main house, built in the Greek Revival style with a tall columned facade, sits slightly elevated and is surrounded by old oak and cypress trees, reflecting pools, and garden paths.
The land was originally home to the Houmas people and was acquired by European settlers in the 18th century, who began growing sugar there. By the 1840s the main house had taken its current form, and the estate grew to become one of the largest sugarcane plantations in Louisiana before the Civil War.
The name of the estate comes from the Houmas people, who originally lived on this land before it was sold in the 18th century. Inside the house, rooms are furnished with objects from different periods, giving visitors a sense of how daily life changed from one owner to the next.
The property includes the main house, large gardens, and several restaurants, so a visit can easily take half a day. It is worth arriving outside the hottest midday hours, especially in summer, since much of the grounds are walked outdoors.
The estate is still the private home of its current owner, making it one of the few occupied houses of this type that is open to visitors. Overnight stays are possible in small cottages on the grounds, which gives guests a chance to experience the property in a way that daytime tours cannot offer.
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