San Francisco Plantation

San Fransisco Plantation

San Francisco Plantation known as one of the most “Opulent in style and Architecture”, including hand painted ceilings and unique color design,. 

Visitors to San Francisco Plantation will now see an elaborate Steamboat Gothic house which presents an intriguing variation on the standard plantation styles, with galleries resembling the decks of a ship. Unlike the Greek Revival style home, this plantation demonstrates the German influence to south Louisiana- the result being an opulence rarely encountered in these parts:

In 1853, Edmond Bozonier Marmillion began building the plantation home that exists today.  Features five artistically hand painted ceilings, painted door panels, faux marbling, and faux wood graining throughout.

Then in 1856, less than one year after the home was completed and the day after Edmond’s death, his oldest son Valsin returned from Europe and was forced to take over the plantation. Valsin Bozonier Marmillion was married to Louise von Seybold of Munich, Germany, and had three daughters. Together they lived at the home and ran the sugar plantation for the next fifteen years. The unusual name “San Francisco” is believed to be derived from Valsin’s comment about the extraordinary debt he was confronted with when taking over the estate. He declared he was sans fruscins or “without a penny in my pocket.” The name evolved into St. Frusquin and, in 1879, was changed into “San Francisco” by the next owner.

The plantation home went under an authentic restoration with a price tag of over 2 million dollar in 1977, it was then gifted to the San Francisco Plantation Foundation and is a Non – Profit Organization that operates the home for daily tours.  San Francisco Plantation is one if the most captivating homes along the Mississippi River filled with period antiques, opulent windows coverings, and beautiful Brussels Carpeting step back into time as you see all of the rooms in the home. Tour guides impart the full fascinating story on the 45-minute tour through the main house. An authentic one-room schoolhouse and a slave cabin have been installed on the grounds, which you can tour at your leisure.

Although the house is antebellum in a chronological sense, it is certainly not typical of the period. Its style and coloration are totally distinctive, and its memories are now locked in time just prior to the War Between the States, when the house was at the height of its splendor.

Browse the Gift Shop stocked with Louisiana products and you may also plan your special event or wedding.

For more information about San Francisco Plantaion, please visit them on TourLouisiana.com!