Longue Vue was the home of Edith and Edgar Stern, built in the 1930s-40s in a Classical Revival style, and it's one of the few Country Place era estates in the South preserved with its original gardens intact. The eight acres of grounds were designed by landscape architect Ellen Biddle Shipman and include a series of distinct formal gardens, among them the Spanish Court with its tiled fountains modeled on the Alhambra. The house interior is furnished largely as the Sterns left it, giving a sense of how a wealthy 20th-century New Orleans family actually lived rather than a generic period display.
Longue Vue House and Gardens at 7 Bamboo Road in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a historic estate encompassing an eight-room Greek Revival-influenced mansion and eight acres of formal gardens designed in the English and Spanish landscape traditions. Built between 1939 and 1942 for cotton broker Edgar Bloom Stern and philanthropist Edith Rosenwald Stern (daughter of Sears, Roebuck co-owner Julius Rosenwald), the property was designed by New York architects William and Geoffrey Platt, while the gardens were created by famed landscape designer Ellen Biddle Shipman. The Sterns, who lived in the house until the 1970s, were major figures in New Orleans civic and cultural life, and the house reflects their exceptional taste in decorative arts — the interiors contain an outstanding collection of English ceramics, American and European furniture, Aubusson tapestries, and art glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The Spanish Court garden, modeled on the Court of Lions at the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, features a long reflecting pool, tiled fountain elements, and formal plantings that create one of the most refined garden rooms in the Gulf South. Other garden areas include the Walled Garden, the Pan Garden with its classical statuary, and the Wild Garden designed as a naturalistic woodland counterpoint to the formal sections. A total of eight distinct garden areas surround the house. Guided tours of the interior last approximately 45 to 60 minutes and cover the history of the Stern family, the architectural and decorative arts contents of the house, and the garden design history. A visit including the house tour and a walk through all garden sections takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The estate is located about 15 minutes from the French Quarter by car, in the Metairie section near the New Orleans city boundary.
| Admission | Adult $15 (≈$15) · Child $7 (≈$7, ages 4-12) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Tuesday–Saturday 10 AM–5 PM; Sunday 1–5 PM; closed Monday |
| Typical visit | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Best time | Spring for garden blooms; morning tours for cooler temperatures |
| Getting there | Drive or Uber from New Orleans; 15 minutes from French Quarter |
| Address | 7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans, LA 70124 |
Location
7 Bamboo Rd, New Orleans, LA 70124
29.9978, -90.1264 View on map
Highlights
- Greek Revival mansion with exceptional American and European decorative arts and Tiffany art glass
- Eight acres of formal gardens including the Spanish Court modeled on the Alhambra's Court of Lions
- Pan Garden, Walled Garden, Wild Garden, and five additional distinct garden rooms
- Interior designed and lived in by noted philanthropists Edith and Edgar Stern
- One of the most refined private landscape designs in the Gulf South, by Ellen Biddle Shipman
Tips for visiting
- The house tour is guided only — no self-guided interior access; tours depart on the hour during open hours
- The gardens can be walked independently of the house tour for a reduced fee on most days
- Spring (March–May) is the best season for garden blooms, particularly in the Walled Garden and Spanish Court
- The estate is 15 minutes from the French Quarter by car or rideshare; no direct public transit connection
- Arrive at least 10 minutes before the tour start time to complete the admissions process
When to visit
Spring mornings (March–May) combine peak garden blooms with comfortable temperatures and the most favorable light in the Spanish Court and reflecting pool. Fall mornings are also pleasant. The estate is closed Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday.
Accessibility
The Longue Vue gardens have paved paths accessible for wheelchairs in the main formal areas, though some garden sections involve gravel or lawn surfaces. The house has steps to the main entrance and uneven floor levels between rooms — limited wheelchair access to the interior is available through an alternate entrance; contact the estate in advance to arrange.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Longue Vue take?
The guided house tour lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Walking through all eight garden areas adds another 45 to 60 minutes. A comfortable complete visit takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Is Longue Vue appropriate for children?
The gardens are enjoyable for children of all ages, with open lawn areas and interesting water features in the formal sections. The guided house tour is better suited to older children and adults with an interest in architecture and decorative arts.
Is photography allowed at Longue Vue?
Photography for personal use is permitted in the gardens throughout the visit. Interior photography policies are confirmed at the start of the house tour — some rooms may restrict flash photography near the textiles and art glass.