👑 Visiting the Mikaelson Mansion in New Orleans: The Ultimate Fan Pilgrimage! ⚜️
Oh, snap! You've binged The Originals a million times, you know every dramatic line Klaus ever drawled, and now you're feeling that major NOLA pull. You wanna strut through the French Quarter, sip a beignet-dusted coffee, and, most importantly, stand right outside the legendary, drama-soaked, seriously fancy-pants Mikaelson Compound. You are officially ready for your vampire vacay, my friend. But wait up, before you book that flight, let's get down to the brass tacks: Can you actually visit the Mikaelson House in New Orleans? The answer is... kinda, but not the way you think!
This ain't just a simple address lookup, folks. We’re talking about TV magic, Hollywood trickery, and a whole lotta Southern charm scattered across two different states. Get ready, because we're about to lay out the real deal so your fan tour is epic and not a total fail.
Step 1: Unmasking the Real Mikaelson Compound – It’s a Double Agent!
Let’s face it, the Mikaelson Compound—or the Abattoir, as it was sometimes called—is practically a character itself. That courtyard, those balconies, the sheer history! It’s the kind of place that screams, "I’m a thousand-year-old original vampire and you’re about to get staked."
1.1 The Georgia Peach (Where the Magic Happened)
Here’s the biggest shocker: The vast, spooky interiors and many of the exterior courtyard shots were not filmed in New Orleans. Nope! The bulk of the show, especially the Compound's interiors and its immediate surroundings (like Rousseau's and the local voodoo shop), was filmed up in Georgia. That's right, a real-life town called Olde Town Conyers, Georgia, often stood in for the French Quarter. Mind. Blown.
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The production crew used a sound stage for most of the interior shots, but the exterior, which gives it that classic New Orleans feel, often came from a different location entirely, and much of the atmosphere was shot on a set built in Georgia.
1.2 The Real New Orleans Vibe Check
They didn't just ignore NOLA, though. The show did send the cast and crew down to the actual Big Easy for some exterior "establishing shots"—you know, those beautiful, sweeping views of the city skyline, the wrought-iron balconies, and the classic street scenes. The real-deal New Orleans sets the mood and provides the unforgettable backdrop!
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| Can You Visit The Mikaelson House In New Orleans |
Step 2: Hunting Down the "Abattoir" Address
So, if you’re standing in the French Quarter and looking for that signature Compound entryway, where should you actually be? Prepare for a reality check that’s more exciting than a witch’s spell gone wrong!
2.1 The Closest Thing to the Compound Entrance
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Fans and location hunters have actually zeroed in on the spot that served as the exterior of the famed Mikaelson home. It’s a real, private residence (or series of buildings) in the French Quarter. The address that pops up is often cited around 837 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA.
Hold your horses, turbo! This is a private building in a historic neighborhood. It is NOT a museum, a set, or a fan-friendly tourist attraction. You can walk past it and take a respectful photo from the street or sidewalk. You should treat this location with the same courtesy you'd show a neighbor's house: No trespassing, no gawking into windows, and definitely no trying to slip an invitation under the door! The residents are just regular folks living their lives, not a coven of Originals waiting to greet you.
2.2 The "Other" Mikaelson Mansion
Now, for a truly mind-blowing piece of trivia: another filming location for an "ancestral Mikaelson home" was the stunning Hay House in Macon, Georgia. This actual historic mansion is known as the "Palace of the South." Unlike the Royal Street spot, the Hay House is a designated National Historic Landmark and is open for tours on select days. Boom! A real Mikaelson-adjacent house you can actually walk through.
Step 3: Planning Your Vampire Filming Location Tour
To get the full Mikaelson experience, you gotta be ready to travel a little, but it'll be worth it, because you'll feel like you're standing right in the middle of a major plot twist!
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3.1 Hitting the New Orleans Hot Spots
While the Compound is a bust for a deep dive, other real NOLA locations were used and are super easy to visit:
St. Louis Cathedral: Used for shots of the iconic church, which was the supposed location of Davina's attic.
Pirates Alley: A gorgeous, narrow, historic alleyway featured in pivotal, intense scenes (like Klaus and Elijah’s deep-dish heart-to-hearts). This place is seriously moody!
The Hotel Royal: Featured as Marcel's swanky, vampire-exclusive pad in the pilot episode. You can book a stay or just check out the beautiful exterior.
3.2 The Georgia Pilgrimage (Optional, but So Worth It)
If you are a hardcore fan, you have to check out Olde Town Conyers. They even have self-guided tours with brochures that detail exactly which shops and streets were transformed into the French Quarter sets. You’ll be walking in the footsteps of Klaus and Elijah way more here than you will in New Orleans!
Pro Tip: Look for organized "Vampire Diaries Universe" tours that hit both Georgia (Covington/Mystic Falls is nearby!) and sometimes include the key NOLA locations. It's the easiest way to tick all the boxes on your supernatural bucket list.
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Step 4: Keeping it Classy (No Drama, Bro!)
Remember, you're a fan, not a stalker. Don't be a hot mess. When you visit any filming location, especially private homes, remember to be a stand-up human being.
Be a Stealth Snapper: Take photos from the public sidewalk or street.
Respect the Peace: Keep your voice down and don't block driveways or entrances.
Ditch the Props: Leave the fake blood, capes, and excessive drama at the hotel. Keep it low-key.
Your trip is going to be dope as long as you respect the real people and places that helped bring the Mikaelson saga to life. Now go forth and conquer the French Quarter!
FAQ Questions and Answers
How can I find the exact address of the real-life Mikaelson Compound? The most commonly cited real-life French Quarter building used for exterior shots is near 837 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA, but remember this is a private residence and not open to the public for tours.
Can I tour the inside of the building used for the Mikaelson Compound? No, the main building in New Orleans is a private home. The interiors (the famous courtyard and great room) were mostly sets filmed in a sound stage in Atlanta, Georgia, so there’s no way to tour those specific spots.
Where can I find the Mikaelson ancestral home from later seasons? You can actually visit a real Mikaelson-related mansion! The Hay House in Macon, Georgia, was used as the family's ancestral home in some episodes and is a National Historic Landmark open for public tours on certain days.
How do I get to the other real The Originals filming spots in New Orleans? Many key locations like St. Louis Cathedral, Pirates Alley, and the Hotel Royal are all within easy walking distance of each other in the French Quarter of New Orleans. You can easily do a self-guided walking tour.
What is the best way to see the filming locations outside of New Orleans? The majority of the show was filmed in Olde Town Conyers, Georgia. Your best bet is to visit the local Conyers Welcome Center for a free self-guided tour brochure that details all the town's filming locations.
Would you like me to help you find more information about booking a fan tour in New Orleans or Georgia?
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