Gallier Hall

Gallier Hall is the former city hall of New Orleans, distinguished by Greek Revival design with twelve white granite Doric columns across its facade. The interior features detailed marble work and includes restored ballrooms that are available for guided tours and public events.

James Gallier Jr. designed this building in 1845, with construction completed in 1853, and it served as New Orleans' city hall until 1957. After more than a century as the city's administrative center, it later transitioned to different uses.

This hall remains central to New Orleans life by serving as the official viewing platform for Mardi Gras parades, where locals and visitors gather to watch the festivities. The building continues to host important city ceremonies and events that reflect the community's values.

The building is open for guided tours that explain the architecture and design details to visitors. It is centrally located in the historic district and accessible by public transportation, making it easy to include in a walking tour of the area.

A major restoration in 2018 returned the building to its original 1853 appearance, including deep cleaning of marble surfaces and recreation of historic paint colors. This work revealed architectural details that had been hidden under decades of dirt and later modifications.