Named for St Roch, a semilegendary figure whose prayers supposedly averted the Black Death, this cemetery became popular with Catholics during yellow fever outbreaks. The chapel here once housed ceramic body parts, prosthetics and false teeth – testaments to miraculous healing – but it's indefinitely closed due to termite damage. In the meantime, the necropolis itself is suitably gloomy and atmospheric.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Healing Center

0.48 MILES

The bright-orange Healing Center is a sort of warehouse of all things organic, spiritual, New Age and consciousness-raising. Inside, you'll find yoga…

2. Press Street Gardens

0.72 MILES

The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts runs this plot of land as part of its culinary education program. You'll find wandering chickens, placid goats…

3. St Vincent de Paul Cemetery

0.75 MILES

As New Orleans cemeteries go, this one feels completely off the tourist radar. And yet, it's as atmospheric and gloomy as any other 'city of the dead.' Be…

4. Washington Square Park

0.79 MILES

Also known as ‘Marigny Green,' this park is a popular spot for locals to play with their dogs, toss Frisbees and, based on the frequent smell, smoke…

5. Plessy v Ferguson Plaque

0.8 MILES

This plaque marks the site where Homer Plessy, in a carefully orchestrated act of civil disobedience, tried to board a whites-only train car. That action…

6. Palace Market

0.85 MILES

Independent artists and artisans line this alleyway market, which has built a reputation as one of the better spots in town to find a unique gift to take…

7. Art Garden

0.86 MILES

Art Garden is an arts-bazaar space filled with painters working on their projects while you shop. It's a good spot to find unique or limited-edition work…

8. Clouet Gardens

0.89 MILES

This formerly empty lot has been transformed by its Bywater neighbors into a neat little park filled with murals and generally appealing weirdness…