The French Quarter: A Guide to its 300 Years of History

New Orleans’ French Quarter is a place of constant change, first settled by the French, then governed by the Spanish, and subsequently bought by the Americans. During the 1800s it became the second-largest port of entry for Italian immigrants. And in the 1900s, it became a haven for artists, musicians, and bohemians. This New Orleans walking tour explores the city’s bounty of history, uncovering its scattered remnants across the French Quarter.

Our tour starts on the banks of the Mississippi. From there, you’ll set off into the heart of New Orleans to immerse yourself in 300 years of history. After crossing Washington Artillery Park, you’ll hear the background behind the Andrew Jackson statue in the heart of Jackson Square. You’ll then snake through Pirates Alley to find Brennan’s Restaurant, home of the renowned Bananas Foster dessert and we'll discuss New Orleans Creole Cuisine. You’ll learn about some of New Orleans’ most fascinating characters like the pirate, Jean Lafitte, who made the French Quarter his home in the 1800s. You’ll also hear about the origins of New Orleans Creole cuisine and see the historical Old Ursuline Convent Museum which dates back to 1734, making it the oldest structure in the French Quarter – and all of Louisiana. Our tour ends at the French Market, which predates the French colony of New Orleans, and was a trading hub for indigenous peoples even before the arrival of the French.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Learn about the Mississippi River and why the city was founded along its shores
• Take a break on Royal Street where some of the best musicians in town play right on the street
• See St Louis Cathedral, the oldest in the United States
• Find the Baroness de Pontalba’s identical townhouses and hear about her influence on the design of Jackson Square
• Appreciate the French Quarter’s unique architecture
• Hear about a pirate’s pardon at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
• Pass some of the most authentic and original buildings in the French Quarter such as the BK Historic House and the Herman-Grima house
• Take in Bourbon Street and Storyville, New Orleans’ real-life red-light district

After taking this tour of New Orleans’ French Quarter, it’ll be clear why the district might be considered the most interesting neighborhood in America’s most interesting city. So, join me on this hour-long walk to sift through the stories of one of America’s most famous neighborhoods.