Grave of Marie Laveau.
The Voodoo Queen's grave in its messy open-access days.

Grave of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen

According to local boosters this grave was once the second-most-visited in the U.S. (trailing only Elvis's in Graceland). Marie Laveau ran a New Orleans hairdressing salon during the day, but on her off-hours she was (supposedly) the Voodoo Queen, sought after for her potions and charms that would bring love or money to those willing to pay the price.

Laveau died in 1881, but a tradition later developed that she could still grant favors from beyond the grave if believers either left offerings or scrawled three X's on her tomb. This resulted in what was clearly the messiest grave in the U.S., and caused no end of headaches for local preservationists, who had to constantly clean and repair the tomb only to have it trashed again.

They finally had enough and, on March 1, 2015, the cemetery was declared off-limits to all tourists except tour groups led by licensed tour guides.

Grave of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen

Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1

Address:: 425 Basin St., New Orleans, LA
Directions:: Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. On the north edge of the French Quarter, on the north side of Basin St. between St. Louis and Conti Sts.
Hours:: Access now heavily restricted. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:: Tours are $20/person or more

More on Grave of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen

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