New Orleans is certainly no stranger to the paranormal. If you’ve spent any time in the French Quarter, you’ve most likely heard about the LaLaurie Mansion and the ghost tales that surround it. Although it’s a private residence and not open to the public, that doesn’t stop countless locals and tourists from walking past, curious to see for themselves what might just be the most haunted spot in New Orleans.

Marie Delphine LaLaurie, more commonly known as Madame LaLaurie, was a New Orleans Creole socialite who lived in the Royal Street mansion in the early 1800s.

Wikimedia On the outside, Madame LaLaurie was a well respected member of society, hosting lavish parties and making friends all around.

But behind closed doors, Madame LaLaurie was a twisted individual.

Lalaurie Mansion/Google After she married her third husband, Leonard Louis Nicolas LaLaurie, they bought the property at 1140 Royal Street in the French Quarter and had a two-story mansion built, complete with attached slave quarters.

One evening in 1834, a fire broke out in the LaLaurie residence.

Lalaurie Mansion/Facebook When the police and firemen arrived, they found quite the gruesome scene. Several slaves were found in the attic, victims of horrendous torture. Some had been mutilated, some were suspended by the necks, in cages, and strapped down to makeshift operating tables.

Once the discovery had been made, an angry mob stormed the property, demolishing everything the fire had left behind.

googlemaps.com But Madame LaLaurie was nowhere to be found. She fled New Orleans, ending up in Paris to spend the rest of her days in France until her death in 1842.

The building that stands today was built in 1838 by Pierre Trastour, and has been used as several different businesses over the years.

Wikimedia Over the last century, it’s been used as a public high school, a music school, a refuge for youths, a furniture store, a bar, and even apartment buildings.

Although it’s closed to the public, people have claimed to hear the screams of tortured souls coming from the building.

JPB712014/Trip Advisor And many past owners have reported strange occurrences. Perhaps that’s why ownership keeps shifting every few years.

Have you ever passed by the Lalaurie Mansion? Have you ever had a paranormal experience? Let us know in the comments below!

Wikimedia

On the outside, Madame LaLaurie was a well respected member of society, hosting lavish parties and making friends all around.

Lalaurie Mansion/Google

After she married her third husband, Leonard Louis Nicolas LaLaurie, they bought the property at 1140 Royal Street in the French Quarter and had a two-story mansion built, complete with attached slave quarters.

Lalaurie Mansion/Facebook

When the police and firemen arrived, they found quite the gruesome scene. Several slaves were found in the attic, victims of horrendous torture. Some had been mutilated, some were suspended by the necks, in cages, and strapped down to makeshift operating tables.

googlemaps.com

But Madame LaLaurie was nowhere to be found. She fled New Orleans, ending up in Paris to spend the rest of her days in France until her death in 1842.

Over the last century, it’s been used as a public high school, a music school, a refuge for youths, a furniture store, a bar, and even apartment buildings.

JPB712014/Trip Advisor

And many past owners have reported strange occurrences. Perhaps that’s why ownership keeps shifting every few years.

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Address: Lalaurie Mansion, 1138 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA