Oak Alley Plantation, History museum and plantation in Vacherie, United States.
Oak Alley Plantation is a Greek Revival mansion in Vacherie, Louisiana, known for its 28 Doric columns and white stucco walls. A double row of southern live oaks stretching more than 800 feet (240 meters) flanks the approach and gives the property its name and signature appearance.
The property was first established in 1830 by Valcour Aime under the name Bon Séjour before Jacques Roman commissioned the current mansion in 1839. The estate changed hands several times after the Civil War and opened as a museum in the mid-20th century.
The alley of 28 live oaks, planted in the early 18th century, gave the plantation its name and its French allée; the mansion's 28 Doric columns match the trees one for one. Antoine, an enslaved gardener, grafted a thin-shelled pecan in 1846 that was entered at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia as the Centennial Variety.
A visit includes either a full tour with access to the main house for 30 dollars or grounds-only admission for 27 dollars per adult. Tours run several times each day and work best during cooler morning hours or late afternoon.
The grounds still hold a working blacksmith shop and a cemetery that offer insight into the lives of enslaved workers. These areas provide a clearer picture of daily life beyond the grand facade of the main house.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,688 contributors worldwide.
