French Market, New Orleans

The French Market is an open-air market full of fresh produce and local foods as well as a flea market. It features items that can be found in many tourist shops for a fraction of the cost. Good deals can be found on jewelry, t-shirts, bags, and books among other things. A fun place to look around.

For over 200 years, the historic French Market has been a symbol of pride and progress for New Orleans. The Market has existed on the same site since 1791 and each new decade has brought changes to the Market which helped secure it as a special place in the hearts of the people of New Orleans.

What began as a Native American trading post on the banks of the Mississippi River has today become America's oldest public market. If you are looking for a place to shop for regional & international clothes, handcrafts and gifts, cajun and creole food (e.g., raspberry flavored pecans as well as chocolate covered almonds) as well as music, then this is the place to be.

One of the most popular sections of the Market is the Farmers Market which sells fresh produce, meat, seafood and an interesting array of hot sauces and Cajun and Creole spices and snacks. Try a 'gator on a stick'. Can't say I was too impressed with it but 'when in Rome'.. give it a try.

Joan of Arc, the maid of Orleans (1412-1431)
Joan had visions at the age of 12 and she said she had to fight for the king of France. When she became to populair she was declared a witch and was burnt to dead.

This statue is a gift from the people of France to the citizins of New Orleans. It is an exact copy of the famous 1880 Emmanuel Fremiet equestrian statue of Joan located at Place des Pyramides, Paris.
It was sent to New Orleans in 1958 by Robert Whyte of the World House in New York.
When the statue arrived the city could not afford the $35,000 price tag to erect it. It was stored for eight years.
Charles DeGaulle, the President of France, visited New Orleans in 1960. On his return to France, he found investments in a fund to erect the statue. In 1972, it was placed on a 17-foot pedestal on the Place de France at the foot of Canal Street. The statue was gilded in 1985.
With the building of the Casino, Joan of Arc had to be relocated. She is now located in the French Quarter.

Robley Guilbeau is 'Grandpa', a really nice guy. He sells freshly cooked corn on the cob for $2.00 and boy is it good. Hang around a while and have a chat and if you are really lucky he may even bring out a chair for you to sit on while he tells you how he got into the business. You can also get roasted peanuts there as well but certainly try the corn, it is the BEST! You can find him right at the end of the French Market main building and at the start of the flea market end.
.

This market is one of the oldest active Farmer's Markets in the country and is on a site used for the same purpose by the Choctaws and other local Indians 2 centuries before the arrival of the Europeans. There are seven buildings in the French Market: The Butcher's Market, the Bazaar, the Vegetable Market, the Red Stores, the Cuisine Market, the Farmer's Market, and the Flea Market.

Opening hours: Daily 0700-1900.
.

This monument was given to the City of New Orleans by the people of France in 1972. It was originally located in front of the International Trade Mart but was moved in 1999 to Decatur Street next to the French market. The statues is an exact copy of the famous 1880 Emmanuel fremiet equestrian statue of Joan which is located at Place des Pyramides in Paris.
.

Even if you are not buying anything this is a great place to see local produce and seafood. Where else can you get gator on a stick in three flavors? Across the street from the French Market is the Birthplace of the Muffalata, yet another place to visit as you make a pilgrimage of food in this culinary haven. Don't forget to check out the lobster sized (pardon the hyperbole) shrimp at the market, there's nothing shrimpy about their size.

The French Market is another place with many attractions. There are horse drawn buggy tours, Cafe du Monde, Brulatour Courtyard, and a variety of local artists waiting to paint or draw a portrait for you. In addition, the French Market is the ulitmate place to get New Orleans foods and spices you can take home to cook (for after your trip). I recommned bringing home the packaged red beans and rice. The spices are already mixed within the package and ready to cook.

The French Market, “America’s Oldest Public Market”, has existed on the same site since 1791.

What began as a Native American trading post has become a cultural and entertainment destination.