If you’ve ever wanted to walk through history, the Degas House Bed & Breakfast offers a rare chance to do just that. Located on Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans, this is the only home or studio of French artist Edgar Degas that’s open to the public anywhere in the world. It’s more than just a museum, It’s a place you can stay, explore, and experience firsthand.

A House with a Story: Where Impressionism Met the American South

Edgar Degas lived in this house from 1872 to 1873, with his maternal relatives, the Musson family. He came to New Orleans during a turning point in his life, and in this time, shaped his artwork and outlook. While here, he completed 18 paintings and wrote five letters that give us insight into his thoughts during that period.

Today, the Degas House Museum lets you walk through those same rooms and imagine the sounds, smells, and daily life of a French artist living in the American South during the 19th century.

Creole Architecture, Parisian Colors, and Victorian Elegance

The home itself is a beautifully restored Creole-style mansion, originally built in 1853. It features tall ceilings, large windows, graceful ironwork balconies, leafy courtyards, and the warmth of restored Victorian parlors dressed in antique furnishings.

Each guest room is named after a member of the Musson-Degas family. They are elegantly preserved with nineteenth-century décor, offering details like clawfoot tubs, fireplaces, and balconies overlooking the quiet streets below. The rooms keep their historic feel, but include modern comforts like WiFi, secure parking, and some even have balconies or spa tubs.

Just keep in mind that this is a real 19th-century home, so there are no elevators, and all guest rooms are up one or two flights of stairs.

Where Art Meets Everyday Life

Throughout the house, you’ll find framed prints of Edgar Degas’ paintings, portraits of the Musson family, and displays that explain how this time in New Orleans influenced his style. The on-site Degas House museum gives visitors a clear picture of his creative development, and how family and culture helped shape one of the world’s best-known artists.

Tours are led by knowledgeable guides or sometimes even Degas’ own descendants, making the experience feel personal and grounded in real family history.

A Unique Bed & Breakfast Experience

Guests at the Degas House Bed and Breakfast receive a fresh Creole breakfast each morning, served in the same dining room where the Musson family once gathered. You’re also welcomed with wine at check-in, and offered Bloody Marys or Mimosas as part of the stay. It’s a relaxed, warm environment where history is always close at hand.

And unlike most hotels, staying here gives you full access to the museum and a guided tour included with your visit. It’s truly a boutique bed and breakfast that blends historic charm with unique cultural experiences.

A Place for Events and Community

From anniversary parties to corporate gatherings and cultural events, the beautiful parlor rooms and courtyard offer a romantic, historic setting for special occasions. The house is recognized as a French cultural landmark and supported by the Degas Foundation, which works to preserve the property and promote education around Degas’ legacy. It’s also one of the more unique wedding venues in New Orleans for couples who want artistic history as part of their celebration.

Plan Your Visit: Walk Through History in Esplanade Ridge

Visiting Degas House is a journey into Creole culture, French heritage, and artistic history. Located near City Park and within walking distance of the French Quarter, it offers the perfect blend of seclusion and accessibility. You can book a stay overnight, or just visit for a guided historic home tour if you’re in town for the day.

Expect more than just sightseeing, expect connection. Connection to art, a historic family, and a city that dances between past and present. 

Why It’s Worth Seeing

In a city full of stories, Degas House stands apart. It allows you to feel connected to a real place, a real family, and a time in history when art and life were one. Whether you stay overnight or stop in for a tour, it’s one of the most unique and authentic ways to experience New Orleans’ fascinating past.

When are you planning to visit Degas House? Let us know in the comments below!