St. Louis Cathedral is getting the royal treatment, literally. Laurent Salomé, director of the national museum at Versailles, toured the French Quarter landmark on Friday, took in its peeling paint and problem spots, and remarked that "it has a personality," even as local leaders push forward with a long-planned restoration. The visit brought a French conservation lens to Jackson Square just as fundraising and technical planning are finally locking into place for a multiyear overhaul. Organizers say the work will focus on stopping water intrusion, stabilizing the roof and conserving the cathedral's painted ceiling, as reported by NOLA.
Versailles' Director Weighs In
Salomé is listed as director of the Musée national des châteaux de Versailles et de Trianon on Château de Versailles, a role that puts him at the center of one of the world's most closely watched restoration operations. In New Orleans, he praised St. Louis Cathedral's character, saying "it has a personality," according to NOLA. That same report quoted Rebecca Mackie, acting director of the Louisiana State Museum, saying an application has been submitted to UNESCO to consider the cathedral, the Presbytère and the Cabildo for World Heritage status.
The Plan and the Price Tag
This is not a quick paint job. The Catholic Community Foundation's Our City, Our Cathedral campaign has set a $75 million goal that includes about $45 million for cathedral repairs, $10 million to renovate the rectory and $20 million for endowments, as outlined by Our City, Our Cathedral. The campaign details exterior priorities such as temporarily removing the slate roof, carrying out masonry and stucco repairs, stabilizing the foundation and installing new flashings. Inside, plans call for a careful reconstruction of the main ceiling so decorative murals can be extracted, conserved and reinstalled. Campaign leaders say the strategy pairs urgent structural fixes with long-term protections meant to safeguard the landmark for generations.
Conservation Challenges Under the Dome
Architects and conservators warn that the ceiling and interior finishes will require specialist treatment and phased work so the cure does not cause more damage than the disease. Holly & Smith Architects, which has carried out assessments for the project, lists slate-roof work, masonry repair, foundation stabilization and interior restoration among the top priorities, including specialized approaches to stabilizing the ceiling. Conservators emphasize that fixing the building envelope first is critical to avoid the repeat water intrusion that has already led to plaster loss and flaking paint.
Timeline and Next Steps
Organizers expect the full restoration to take about 36 months, roughly 18 months outside followed by 18 months inside, and Christopher Wiseman estimated the work could begin as soon as this summer, according to reporting by NOLA. The cathedral largely dates to an 1851 rebuilding and is described on its parish site as America's oldest continuously operating cathedral; visitor information and a giving portal are provided by St. Louis Cathedral. Campaign leaders say the next steps include finalizing contracts, lining up conservation specialists and raising the remaining funds before scaffolding goes up.
What to Watch
Supporters are being told to watch for campaign updates on permitting, contractor selection and major donor milestones, with organizers planning regular progress briefings and timeline updates as details are nailed down. For now, the Versailles visit and the campaign's technical assessments have given New Orleanians a clearer, if ambitious, roadmap for saving one of the city's most photographed landmarks.
