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The French Quarter is the original part of the city of New Orleans. Its buidlings are all historic and it is home to most of the city's hotels and many restaurants. It is nearly impossible to drive and park here so walking is best. Spend a day or two walking the streets and visiting the many boutiques and shops, or just sit in a cafe and watch people go by while you listen to live music. Leave a Comment Directions: French Quarter
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One of the most charming (but also wildest) area in the US is located in the heart of New Orleans: "the French Quarter" also known in French as "le Vieux Carre", tthe old square (as in square shapped), a rectangular area neighbourhood that has Bourbon Street as a main axis. This landmark of New Orleans has architecture you’ll find nowhere else in the country with its little houses ornated with iron balconies, patios, hidden courtyards… Funny detail… it should really be called the "Spanish Quarter" because the city was almost completely destroyed by 2 fires in 1788 and 1794 when it was under Spanish rule. The Governor, Don Francisco Luis Hector, had it rebuilt in Spanish style and most of the buildings in the French Quarter were built at that time. Since its creation, New Orleans had a reputation of being a very tolerant city… maybe a little much for certains and you can witness it during Mardi Gras but also, every night on Bourbon Street. So… you’ve been warned. If seeing young ladies take off their shirts and bras so they can get a plastic beads from unknown guys who are having a drink on one of the balconies… if feeling like you're in a live edition of "Girls Gone Wild" is not your cup of tea, try to avoid the area during the night and especially the week-end. I think you can put that on account of the “Hurricane” the local cocktai, that you can recognize easily thanks to its red colour and it should be served in a glass that vaguely looks like a giant champagne flute. Leave a Comment
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The narrow streets and cramped buildings can make photography difficult, so as soon as you've had your latte and beignet, wander the streets aimlessly. A full day plus some can be spend wandering the French Quarter looking at the mostly Spanish style facades with ornate ironwork. The French Street names are on the signs, but many buildings have the Spanish occupation names as well. Leave a Comment
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Stretching the entire length from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue, the French Quarter—the oldest & most celebrated neighborhood in New Orleans—is comprised of roughly 21 city blocks, containing an appearance that is more akin to present day Mexico than 19th century France. Even so, the French Quarter possesses a thriving atmosphere which is alive twenty-four hours a day. And though it’s the most visited tourist attraction in all of New Orleans, no trip to the city is complete without an expedition into the “Quarter.”
The vast majority of my time in New Orleans was spent visiting the French Quarter, exploring all of the enchanting sites which hold great importance to the history of Jazz—J&M Studios, Danny Barker’s birthplace, & the Monteleone Hotel. Additionally, I was drawn to the French Quarter for its significance in America’s literary development: it was here where William Faulkner, while living in a house on Pirate’s Alley, wrote his novel ‘Soldier’s Pay.’ Moreover, the debauchery of the French Quarter—specifically Bourbon Street—mesmerized the great Truman Capote, completely consumed Tennessee Williams, & tickled the fancy of Sherwood Anderson. Leave a Comment
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As we traveled the streets of the French Quarter, two New Orleans art galleries particularly caught our eye:*The Angela King Gallery and *The Mann Gallery.
This stunning lucite sculpture pictured at The Angela King Gallery is a piece by Frederick Hart, who also crafted a stone sculpture for the National Cathedral and a bronze sculpture for the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial--both pieces are in Washington,DC. What a multi-talented individual! We were given a thorough background on the late artist and his place in history by art consultant, Deborah Choate.
That same afternoon, we dropped by The Mann Gallery where we spied the Impressionistic work of French artist, Luc Didier, whose oil painting, Chaussee sur la vonne a Vivonne, truly moved us (pic #2)! After being briefly schooled in his body of work, we were guided around the gallery by assistant director, Jill McGaughey.
If you have a love of art and especially enjoy galleries, go to the website below for a list of other galleries to visit while in New Orleans.
*The Angela King Gallery, 240 Royal St., New Orleans (504-858-1609); see Deborah Choate, executive art consultant
*The Mann Gallery, 305 Royal St., New Orleans (504-523-2342); see Jill McGaughey, assistant director
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Shop windows filled with wonderful treasures beckon visitors to come in to appreciate fine antiques in the French Quarter. Whether it's a rare King Louis the XVth regulateur clock or a one-of-a-kind crystal chandelier imported from Europe or marriage chest from the Renaissance, you'll get a kick out of visiting these merchants.
We found several of these shops enticing:
M S Rau, 630 Royal Street (opening pic)
Moss Antiques, 411 Royal Street (pic #2)
Keil's Antiques, 325 Royal Street
Whisnant Galleries, 229 Royal Street (pic #3)
These particular antique shops were all within walking distance of each other. Stop by to admire some truly fine antiques, but come with deep pockets!
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In the 20 years I've been acquainted with New Orleans, I've yet to visit the French Quarter and NOT see some poor hapless idiot gripping one of those streetlamps (just like you see in the cartoon postcards), spilling his guts out onto the street.
The weird thing about drinking in New Orleans is that the alcohol feels different - instead of throwing up and reading that as a sign that the night's over, you somehow become reborn, able to rededicate yourself to more obnoxious behavior on Round #2 toward Intoxication.
Whether by day or night, you'll see street performers and mimes on the hustle, watch transsexuals catwalking down Bourbon to reach their area of town (past the 800 block), catch strippers in sleazy bar entrances (long mirrors are situated at the entrances so you can see them do their stuff - sometimes a single dancer is hired just to lie face down on the mirror), or simply observe your fellow visitor laying prone on the street or catching a few zzzzzzzs on a streetside curb, in presumably in between drinking sessions.
If you're lucky, you'll even get to watch the police holding back hecklers as the Jesus Freaks quietly picket outside an establishment, condemning the revelers to an afterlife in Hell without a get-out-of-jail pass. Leave a Comment Directions: French Quarter (Downtown)
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When In New Orleans you have to go to the French Quarter. It is the neighbourhood where the bars and the distinctive buildings are.
It is also the oldest neighbourhood of New Orleans. This is where the city was born .
The area is authentic, not a reproduction of history. Many of the buildings here date back to the 1700's. But most of the architecture is Spanish, not French. That is because the city was destroyed by a huge fire and rebuilt in when it was in spanish hands. Leave a Comment
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You have to check out Royal Street.
This is where you'll find A Court of Two Sisters Restaurant. The brunch buffet is extensive and the mimosa's in the damp morning air hit the spot. The food's not the absolute greatest, but I still can't tear myself away from this old standby. We just love it.
The antiques along Royal are unrivaled. You'll never see anything like the collection you will find here.
Everyday they block off the street to car traffic, and the performers come out. It's just a great way to spend the afternoon.
One of our favorite acts frequenting Royal is Stony B. & Grampa. They have a very entertaining, gitchy show! Definitely stop and watch if you get the chance! They will keep you laughing. Stony has a raw sense of humor and a natural talent. Grampa is incredible on the harmonica! Never heard anyone like him! Leave a Comment Directions: French Quarter
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The magical name that conjures up images of history, architecture, food, drink, and fun in the minds of people throughout the world. New Orleans is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the universe. Visit and you will see why.
It's easy to fall in love with New Orleans and be romanced by the world famous French Quarter. This 10 block square is a mosaic of colors, sounds, tastes, smells and feelings like no other place in the world. Nestled in the Mississippi River's crescent, the Quarter is a blend of old and new traditions, cultures and customs. Leave a Comment
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