The drive to preserve history is stashed in every corner of New Orleans. Inside Arnaud’s, one of the largest restaurants in New Orleans, you can find the Germaine Wells Mardi Gras Museum where her personal Mardi Gras balls gowns and Easter hats are preserved.

Down a hidden hallway, you’ll see walls of intricate sequined gowns on mannequins that look like Elizabeth Taylor. If you’re visiting the restaurant for a meal or a drink, ask about the museum. They’ll be happy to refill your drink and find someone who is excited to show it off.

Restaurant History

Arnaud’s says they opened in 1918, but the earliest newspaper mention I found was April 1921. That doesn’t really mean much, but I also found a 1922 ad that seems to indicate they had been open a year.

That’s still over a century of entertaining New Orleans crowds. The accumulated gowns are a time capsule of Carnivals past and the special experiences of one New Orleanian.

Count Arnaud Cazenave, the restaurant’s founder, died in 1948. He arrived in this country in the 1890s from France. Germaine was his daughter, and she ran the restaurant until 1978. Since then it’s been run by another family, the Casbarians, who seem committed to preserving the history.

The building is now 11 connected buildings that form a winding maze of stairs and mirrored halls with colorful, elaborately patterned wallpapers, the servers quickly whisking you up and down, creating a falling down the rabbit hole feeling. Somewhere along the way are nearly 20 private dining rooms and the climate controlled museum.

The museum opened in September 1983, just before the death of Germaine in December 1983. She claimed to be the queen of 22 Carnival balls, the most anyone ever claimed. The display is some of the gowns from her most famous reigns. It is a fascinating look at the history of Carnival societies from one person’s perspective.

Visiting

I’ve visited Arnaud’s for my birthday, for work lunch, for events, and for dinner before shows at the Saenger. I’ve been able to enjoy several memorable meals in the historic surroundings.

I recommend visiting Arnaud’s if you have interest in any of the classic New Orleans dishes or drinks. Bananas Foster, Cafe Brulot, French 75, baked Alaska, souffle potatoes, turtle soup, oysters every way, you can get it all and more at Arnaud’s and end with a museum visit and probably a history of Carnival from your guide. Not a bad deal.

Sources

https://www.arnaudsrestaurant.com/about/mardi-gras-museum

Morago, Greg. “Arnaud’s, New Orleans’ grand haute Creole restaurant, turns 100,” May 1, 2018. https://www.ctinsider.com/life/travel/explore/article/Arnaud-s-New-Orleans-grand-haute-Creole-12877994.php Retrieved September 14, 2025.

“Germaine Leontine Yvonne Cazenave Wells,” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104949615