If you’re wondering where James Carville lives these days, don't look for him in the high-stakes hallways of Washington, D.C. He bailed on the Beltway a long time ago. Honestly, the man they call the "Ragin’ Cajun" has gone back to his roots, and if you want to find him, you’ll need to head down to the humid, jazz-filled streets of New Orleans, Louisiana.
But it isn't just about a city. It is about a specific lifestyle shift that happened recently.
For years, Carville and his wife, the equally famous Republican strategist Mary Matalin, were the ultimate symbols of "Uptown" living. They owned a massive, 8,000-square-foot Colonial Revival mansion on Palmer Avenue. It was the kind of place with a 360-degree mural of Audubon Park in the dining room and enough history to make a museum jealous. But things changed around 2021.
Where Does James Carville Live Right Now?
The short answer: James Carville lives in a luxury condo in the Central Business District (CBD) / Warehouse District of New Orleans.
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He and Mary decided to downsize. Big time. They sold that giant Palmer Avenue estate for about $3.3 million and moved into a space that’s roughly half the size. Why? Well, James is pretty blunt about it. He’s in his 80s now (born in 1944, do the math), their daughters are grown and out of the house, and he basically got tired of climbing stairs.
The new spot is a one-floor condo that cost them nearly $2 million. It’s located in a six-unit building that is famously "right behind Herbsaint," which is one of the best restaurants in a city known for elite food.
The Mississippi Connection
You can't talk about where James Carville lives without mentioning his "camp." In Louisiana and Mississippi parlance, a camp isn't a tent; it’s a second home, usually near the water. When they were in the middle of moving between the mansion and the condo, they spent a lot of time at their place in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
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It’s about an hour's drive from New Orleans. It’s where they go to escape the city noise. So, while New Orleans is the primary residence, Bay St. Louis is the retreat.
Why He Left Virginia for New Orleans
Back in 2008, the political world was shocked when the couple packed up their life in Alexandria, Virginia, and headed south. Most people in their position stay in D.C. forever, clinging to the proximity of power. Carville did the opposite.
He grew up in a town actually called Carville, Louisiana (named after his grandfather). For him, New Orleans was always the "greatest city imaginable." After Hurricane Katrina, he felt a pull to go back and help the city's soul recover. He didn't want to be a "Washington person" in his 70s and 80s. He wanted to be a New Orleans person.
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- The Vibe: He’s often seen jogging in Audubon Park or grabbing a drink at local spots.
- The Work: He taught at Tulane for years and still does work with LSU.
- The Neighbors: He loves being in a neighborhood where he can walk to dinner.
What His Current Home Says About Him
It’s kinda funny—James Carville is a die-hard Democrat, but his lifestyle has always been a bit "Republican" in its comforts, a point Bill Clinton once joked about. The current condo is sleek, modern, and high-end.
He told The Times-Picayune that he's "loving it" because it fits his current pace of life. He’s "retired," but not really. He still does the Politics War Room podcast and shows up on CNN or MSNBC to yell about strategy, but now he does it from a home office where he doesn't have to worry about the roof leaking on a century-old mansion.
Misconceptions About His Residence
- Does he live in D.C.? No. He visits for work, but he hasn't lived there in over 15 years.
- Is he in Baton Rouge? He’s an LSU superfan and is there often for games or lectures, but he doesn't live there.
- Does he live in a "swamp"? People hear "Cajun" and imagine a shack on stilts. His New Orleans condo is about as urban and sophisticated as it gets.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Residents
If you're looking to catch a glimpse of the strategist or just want to live like he does, here is how the "Carville Map" of New Orleans looks:
- Eat where he eats: He mentioned his condo is right behind Herbsaint on St. Charles Avenue. It's a staple for the city's power brokers.
- Walk where he walks: He spent over a decade in the Uptown area near Audubon Park. It remains one of the most beautiful walking spots in the country.
- Understand the shift: His move from a historic mansion to a CBD condo reflects a broader trend in New Orleans where older elites are moving into the Warehouse District for the walkability and ease of "lock-and-leave" living.
James Carville isn't hiding. He’s a fixture of the Crescent City. If you're wandering around the Warehouse District and see a skinny guy with a bald head and a thick Louisiana accent complaining about the state of the Democratic party, you’ve probably found exactly where he lives.
To get a true feel for his environment, check out the local real estate listings in the Warehouse District or the Lower Garden District, as these areas mirror the high-end, urban transition he made in 2021. You can also follow his local commentary in The Times-Picayune, where he frequently weighs in on New Orleans city politics.