Hermann Grima House: Urban Enslavement Tour Experience

Experience the Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann Grima House, a restored French Quarter home that explores the lives of enslaved individuals in an urban setting. Discover the rich history and contributions of people of African descent in shaping New Orleans.

Duration: 1 hour
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Hermann-Grima House - This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from…
What's Included
  • Professional guide included
Additional Information

This refurbished dwelling in the French Quarter, constructed in 1831, features a Federalist architectural front, an original functional open-hearth kitchen, city slave quarters, and a large courtyard. The Hermann-Grima House’s Urban Enslavement Tour examines the lives of those who were enslaved in a city environment, compares their experiences to those…

Location
Hermann-Grima House
820 Saint Louis St,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(181 Ratings)
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Explorer752183
Jan 11, 2026
Unmissable tour - One of the most informative and brilliantly conducted tours I have experienced anywhere. Katy a really superb guide, with relevant knowledge across political, social history and extremely insightful about slavery and the urban household. Unmissable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Deborah_s
Jan 10, 2026
Great tour - Robert did a great job of explaining the history of the urban slaves. We learned a lot from him. The house is also stunning.
Review provided by Viator
Shellypf1964gp
Jan 7, 2026
Urban Enslavement: Compare and Contrast in Southern Living - Don't Miss This! - We walked by the Hermann-Grima House and were intrigued by the offer of an urban enslavement tour. As northerners, we were somewhat familiar with the experiences of enslaved people (house and field) but knew little of the urban experience for people who were enslaved. Being able to discuss how much the wealth of the upper class depended not just on the labor, but on the actual cash value of the people they held in slavery was sobering. Also, seeing the level of surveillance during all of their daily activities showed how difficult their lives were, and how it made escape nearly impossible. Our docent, Katy, was extremely knowledgeable and was able to describe, in detail, the lives of all who inhabited the house. She was able to create a vivid picture of the Grima family, living in high style, eating like gourmets, while their enslaved servants were crammed into small rooms, bathing in public, and working sunup to sundown, with no privacy and little hope for escape. Also, the interior of the home is beautiful, making the contrast that much more blatant.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
O7579flsaraj
Dec 21, 2025
Excellent tour! Must see if you are a history enthusiast. - Our tour guide was absolutely amazing. The tour was very informative and interesting. We learned a lot and the guide made it fun.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin
Dec 19, 2025
Excellent historical tour - We visited both the Hermann-Grima House and the Gallier House, which are both run by the Women’s Exchange. Excellent tour with history of both houses but also the history of urban enslavement. A must see when you are in New Orleans
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angela
Dec 16, 2025
Highly recommend - I highly recommend this tour. The content of the tour was interesting and our guide was very knowledgeable. The best part is that we went on the second day of our trip and spent the rest of the time in the city noticing things about houses, out buildings, and passage ways that we wouldn’t have understood in the same way. I’m very glad we chose to do this!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Spicytaters
Dec 8, 2025
Interesting Tour Of This Historic House - Really interesting tour of this historic home. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. I wish we could have gone upstairs, but I'm sure there's a good reason for limiting the tour to the ground floor. I'm glad the focus is on the enslaved people's lives.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z3543sggenevieveb
Nov 16, 2025
Absolutely recommend - Amazing tour guide! Learned a ton, think it's really worth doing if you're visiting the city for a few days. Also, strangely good gift shop
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jason_m
Dec 27, 2025
Not what was expected - I felt the tour was a little more focused on the "masters" of the house than expected. I learned about the house's builder, his financial issues, his wife's wealth, his daughter and her husband, the family that purchased the house and so forth, but not much about the enslaved people other than their economic value. I'd love to have learned more about their humanity and lives and remove focus from the slave owners.
Review provided by Viator
Marym568
Nov 25, 2025
Disappointing - When I hear the guide tell us at the start of the tour, “this home represents the 1% of the wealthiest people” you know where this tour is going to take you. Sorry, but we need rich people in society. Enough said. There is too much a political slant felt in this tour. Just keep to the facts.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $17
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).