Some houses keep their secrets quietly, and some practically hand you a flashlight and dare you to look. In the small Louisiana town of St. Francisville, one old home has been doing the second thing for a very long time.
Its story starts in 1796, and people still travel from across the country, and even from England, to hear it told. Halloween week gives this place an extra spark, because the spooky tales finally match the calendar.
Ahead, you will learn where it sits, how its guided tours work, which rooms and cottages are worth booking, and why a friendly turkey named Ivan might steal the show from every ghost on the property. Keep reading, because the stories only get stranger as the night goes on.
A 1796 Home on Highway 61
Plenty of old houses claim a ghost or two, but very few have built a whole reputation around it. The Myrtles sits at 7747 US-61, St Francisville, LA 70775, in the heart of Louisiana’s plantation country.
The main home dates to 1796. Today it works as a quaint inn with antique-filled rooms, rustic cottages, and a refined restaurant on the grounds.
Geography is a bonus here. The property sits about 2 miles from Rosedown Plantation and roughly 6 miles from Audubon State Historic Site, so history fans can easily build a full weekend around it.
Baton Rouge is close enough for a day trip. Some locals from nearby towns describe the drive as just under an hour, which makes it an easy outing for anyone already in the region.
The house is known as allegedly haunted, and that label shapes nearly everything about a visit. Guests come for the history, stay for the stories, and leave comparing notes on what they may or may not have caught on camera.
With thousands of people sharing their experiences online and a strong 4.6-star standing, the place clearly delivers on its promise. Halloween week simply turns the volume up on a story that has been running for more than two centuries.
Stories That Refuse to Settle Down
Ask almost anyone about this house and one name tends to come up first: Chloe. She is the most famous figure tied to the home’s legend, and many guests leave hoping they spotted her in a photo.
The reputation goes beyond a single tale. Haunted stories are the most talked-about topic connected to the property, and the guides lean into them with clear enthusiasm.
Some guests take it all very seriously. Accounts include voices picked up on recorders, a sleeper feeling a poke in the night, and an earring that seemed to flip on its own.
Others arrive as cheerful skeptics and leave the same way, happy with the history even without a ghostly cameo. Both groups seem to have a good time, which says a lot about how the experience is presented.
Staff members sometimes share their own strange moments inside the house. One guide even encourages guests to snap lots of photos and study them closely afterward.
It is worth knowing that the home’s past is a real and serious part of Southern history. Some guests wish tours addressed that history more directly, so curious minds may want to read up before arriving.
Believer or not, the tales are the thread that ties the whole visit together.
Guides Who Steal the Spotlight
Ghosts get the headlines, but the tour guides earn the applause. Tour guides are by far the most mentioned topic connected to this property, with hundreds of shout-outs.
The daytime history tour focuses on the house and its contents. Guides answer questions about which items are original and which are replicas, from game room decor to dishware in the dining room.
Families celebrating birthdays have booked these tours, and teenagers seem to enjoy them as much as adults. The guides mix knowledge with humor, keeping the stories fun without losing the facts.
Patience is part of the job too. Even repeated questions get polite, thoughtful answers, and some guides happily chat after the tour ends.
A self-guided option covers the first floor of the home. It moves quickly, with a staff member nearby to answer questions, though guests who want more depth usually prefer the guided version.
Tours run during the day, with afternoon time slots available. A 3:30 tour, for example, gives plenty of time to wander the grounds afterward.
Guided tours are included free for overnight guests, which makes staying the night an even better deal. For many, a great guide is what turns a pretty old house into a memory worth retelling.
When the Lights Go Low
Daylight is for learning, and nighttime is for nerves. The evening ghost tour is the one that fits Halloween week best.
Guests describe it as spooky, intriguing, and fun in equal measure. Guides deliver the stories with flair, building suspense without turning it into a cheap fright.
Plenty of people do both tours back to back. The day tour lays out the history, and the night tour adds the legends, so together they tell the fuller story.
Some guests even return a second time just for the other tour after loving the first. One traveler from England booked the ghost tour one night and the history tour the next morning.
Overnight guests often catch the night tour and then head straight to their rooms. That timing is part of the thrill, since the stories are fresh in your mind right before lights out.
Bring a phone or a voice recorder if you like to experiment. Many guests spend the next day scrolling through their photos and videos for anything unusual.
Halloween week brings out the curious crowd, so booking ahead is a smart move. A ghost tour this popular will not wait around for latecomers.
Four-Poster Beds and Claw-Foot Tubs
Sleeping in a reputedly haunted house is a bold choice. The rooms here at least make that choice comfortable.
Rooms feature period antiques, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. Most have en-suite or private bathrooms, and many include four-poster beds, claw-foot tubs, or separate sitting rooms.
Named rooms give each stay its own character. The Woodruff Suite draws repeat guests, some of whom come back specifically for its paranormal reputation, while the Ruffin Sterling room is known for being spacious.
Garden rooms are another option worth asking about. The beds tend to get praise for being cozy, which helps when the stories keep playing in your head.
A few practical notes help set expectations. Rooms do not have TVs, and the internet can be weak, so this is a stay for unplugging rather than streaming.
Keys matter more than usual. Guests may receive one for the building, another for the room, and others for restrooms, so it helps to choose one responsible keeper in your group.
Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m., and guests tend to respect them. That calm makes the old house feel peaceful, at least until something goes bump.
Cottages With Rocking Chairs
Not everyone wants to spend the night inside the main house. The rustic cottages offer a slightly different flavor of the same adventure.
Each cottage adds a porch with rocking chairs. It is a relaxed spot for morning coffee or an evening chat after the ghost tour.
Cabins are one of the most talked-about features of the property. The Caretaker’s Quarters is one example, with a farmhouse feel that suits the plantation setting.
Comfort varies a bit depending on the unit. Some guests have noted that the air conditioning could be stronger and that small critters occasionally find their way inside, which is part of country living.
Privacy is another thing to consider. Day guests wandering the grounds have sometimes mistaken a cottage for part of the tour, so keeping your door locked is wise.
On the bright side, communication with staff is easy. Guests can text for things like extra towels, and quick replies make the stay feel smooth.
Cottages also pair nicely with families and small groups who want a bit of space. A rocking chair, a quiet porch, and a good story make a fine end to any Halloween night.
Ivan and the Rest of the Welcome Committee
Every famous house needs a mascot, and this one picked a turkey. Ivan roams the grounds freely and has become a celebrity in his own right.
Kids adore him. He follows guests around, poses for photos, and has been known to try tagging along as people head home.
Some overnight guests make morning coffee with Ivan part of their daily routine. One guide has even been spotted picking him up mid-tour, much to everyone’s amusement.
He is not the only animal on duty. Several friendly farm animals wander the property, a cat greets guests, and two hosts named Pepper and Domino have earned their own fan base.
The animals add a lighthearted balance to the spooky reputation. Families with younger children often find that the critters become the highlight of the visit.
The property is also listed as pet-friendly and kid-friendly. That makes it easier for families to plan a full Halloween outing without leaving anyone behind.
Chloe may be the legend, but Ivan is the one guests actually get to meet. Do not be surprised if he ends up in more of your photos than any ghost.
Oaks, Stained Glass, and a Peaceful Courtyard
Long before anyone talked about spirits, the grounds were turning heads. Centuries-old oak trees frame the property, and the main house features hand-painted stained glass and a wrap-around front porch.
The grounds are among the most praised parts of a visit. Many people come just to stroll and enjoy a peaceful afternoon outdoors.
A courtyard with tables surrounds a small fountain. Nearby, a pond adds another calm spot to pause between activities.
The small gift shop doubles as a coffee stop. It is a pleasant place to rest, browse souvenirs, and plan the rest of the day.
A refined restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with a patio seating area. Guests often appreciate having a quality dining option right on the property, since St. Francisville is a small town.
One caution: weddings and private events sometimes book the restaurant. Confirm dinner reservations close to your visit so plans do not get shuffled.
Walking the grounds is quick and easy, and the house is accessible from the small parking lot. Even a 30-minute wander gives a good sense of why so many people fall for the place.
Planning a Spooky Season Stay
Good haunts reward good planning. Rooms start around $260 per night, and that rate includes several handy extras.
Free breakfast, free parking, and free guided tours come with an overnight stay. Wi-Fi is free too, though its strength can vary.
The list of amenities is longer than many expect from a 1796 house. It includes a pool, a fitness center, an airport shuttle, and accessible features, and the whole property is smoke-free.
For questions or bookings, the official website at themyrtles.com is the place to start. Calling ahead is especially useful for confirming tours, dining, and key arrangements.
Halloween week is a natural fit for this destination. The stories feel right at home, the night tours carry extra energy, and the calendar gives everyone a perfect excuse.
Arrive with flexible expectations. Some guests leave convinced something strange happened, while others simply enjoy a beautiful historic stay with kind staff.
Either way, the combination of history, legends, gentle grounds, and one famously nosy turkey makes a strong case for a visit. Book early, pack a phone with plenty of storage, and let the old house decide how much of its story it wants to share.
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