Lalaurie House
Located at 1140 Royal Street, New Orleans

Dr Louis Lalaurie and his wife, Delphine, built and moved into this mansion in 1832, which is considered to be the most frightening and most haunted estate in the French Quarter. The out side of the mansion was plain by comparison, but the interior was, by anyone's standards, plush and lavish. Guests dined on European china in bright parlors illuminated by large, ornate chandeliers. Hand-carved mahogany doors opened into the finest social and grand events of the era. Those that were fortunate enough to attend her gathering were treated as royalty by the multitude of slaves owned by Madame Lalaurie. She was considered one of the elite socialites of the French Quarters.

This was the facade Madame Lalaurie wanted admirers and friends to see. There was another side, a dark side that she kept hid from the public. Behind her "social appearance", there was a side of Madame Lalaurie that was at best, sick, distorted and possibly psychopathic. This came to light after a fire broke out in the kitchen.

The blaze ran through the entire house and after it was extinguished, the firefighters found a secret door in the attic which held the true horrific secrets of Madame Lalaurie. Slaves were found strapped on operating tables, chained to the walls, and confined in cages. Woman slaves were cut open and their entrails wrapped around them. One had her mouth sewn shut with animal feces inside. Human parts and organs were found in buckets around the attic. The male slaves were treated even worse. Mouths had been sewn shut, hands sewn to different parts of the body, fingernails ripped off, eyes blinded by sticks, sexual organs cut off, limbs deliberately broken and re-set at the wrong angle. It is even said that one of the slaves had a hole drilled in his head and a stick had been inserted into his brain.

The list of atrocities were only limited to Madame Lalaurie twisted mind. It is rumored that though her husband did not participate in these activities, he was aware they were occurring. As a crowd gathered outside the Lalaurie mansion for revenge, a carriage appeared from the driveway and swiftly carried the Lalaurie family out of town. There are no records of any legal action ever being taken against Madame Lalaurie and the family was never heard of or from again.

Reports of strange and haunting events have continued to be reported throughout the years since the Lalaurie's fled their residence. Sounds of chains being dragged across the floors and down steps, cries, screams and groans are reported to be heard. Apparitions with maimed bodies appear, shrouded figures seeming to attack the living. A large black man in chains has been seen on the steps. Windows, and the front door opening and closing on their own. Some say they have seen a young slave girl jump from the roof of the house to escape the torture of her mistress. The cries of the young girl are reported to be heard today.