The French Quarter of New Orleans
The French Quarter of New Orleans is one of the most unique residential areas in the United States. It combines beautiful old mansions in Spanish colonial style, along with a few French-style houses (as befitting the district's name), rows of wrought-iron balconies above bustling streets filled with bars, galleries, restaurants, shops, and boutique hotels.
At the heart of the quarter is Jackson Square, crowned by the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. Bourbon Street cuts through the district and is the focal point of the Mardi Gras carnival celebrations associated with the city. It's a lively street of bars, jazz, and nightlife. The Creole character of the district's residents is reflected in excellent Cajun food and a feeling of being abroad in the heart of the southern United States.
How much time is needed for a trip to the French Quarter of New Orleans?
For a trip to the French Quarter of New Orleans, it's a good idea to dedicate an entire day plus enjoy the evening hours.
10 Things You Must See and Do in the French Quarter of New Orleans
- The vibrant nightlife of Bourbon Street (Make sure to visit during Mardi Gras in February)
- The towers of St. Louis Cathedral above Jackson Square
- Exquisite Creole food at the French Market
- Luxury shopping and stunning city views on Canal Street
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
- Dine at Napoleon House
- The origins of construction in Mississippi at the Old Ursuline Convent Museum
- Stroll along the Mississippi River and the Natchez Steamboat at Woldenberg Park
- Louisiana Supreme Court Building
- Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
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What is the French Quarter of New Orleans?
The French Quarter is the main attraction when visiting New Orleans. It's called the French Quarter by Americans in reference to the American Quarter, which is the financial hub slightly to the south.
- Residents of French descent refer to it as the old quarter Vieux Carré, and it is called the Latin Quarter Barrio Latino by the Spanish rulers
- The border between the French Quarter and the American Quarter is the wide Canal Street, the most elegant avenue in New Orleans
- The quarter is bordered to the east by the Mississippi River, and its center is the large Jackson Square where the cathedral dedicated to Saint Louis is located
- The district was originally built in the 17th century when the city was founded by the French in 1718. In the years 1788 and 1795, a large portion of the French residents' wooden houses burned down in two major fires. The Spanish rulers of the city rebuilt the area in colonial Spanish style.
- Today, the district's houses are under strict preservation laws to maintain its unique character.
For the complete mystical tour of New Orleans – haunted houses, voodoo, and vampires, click here…
The French Quarter is the tourist hub of New Orleans. It's essentially the heart of any visit to the city, featuring sites and streets that have become legendary such as Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and Decatur Street.
- In the district, you'll find some of New Orleans' most famous sites, such as the grand French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Steamboat Natchez.
- This is the district that every February turns into the focal point of the city's famous Mardi Gras carnival.
- The streets saw the birth of jazz in the early 20th century
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Map of New Orleans' French Quarter
Around Jackson Square
Adjacent to the cathedral are the Town Hall and the historic courthouse in the Cabildo building, and on the other side of the cathedral is the historic Presbytere building. Close to the square are some of the city's must-see sites:
- The French Market, the ground zero of Creole (Cajun) cuisine
- The Jazz Museum, which tells the story of the music born in the city
- The Natchez steamboat, which sails on the Mississippi River
What's the area around Jackson Square in New Orleans like?
Jackson Square is the heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans. Originally the seat of French governance and law, it is now a beloved tourist spot, bustling with visitors and local artists.
- The square was the center of life in the French colony when New Orleans was established in 1718
- In 1803, the French transferred control of all of Louisiana to the United States. Residents of the district continued to speak French and were known as Cajuns or les Acadiens
- Around the square are some of the most important buildings from New Orleans’ past. The most notable is the St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city's most famous landmarks, along with the jazz of the French Quarter
- Nearby are other important historical public buildings of the city, including the Presbytère, the Arsenal, the Cabildo, and the mysterious Pirate's Alley.
- The green square, which is more of a small urban park than a square, is located right in the heart of the bustling and vibrant French Quarter of New Orleans, on Chartres Street and two blocks from Bourbon Street.
- A little east of the square, the Mississippi River flows slowly.
- The square is a great base for starting a tour of the French Quarter filled with sites and visitors. The benches, atmosphere, greenery, and beautiful surrounding buildings make it a wonderful spot for a break while exploring the French Quarter.
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Everything to See and Do in the French Quarter of New Orleans
Bourbon Street
The French Quarter in New Orleans is laid out in a grid of streets. The streets that run southwest are the main ones, led by Bourbon, Royal, and Chartres. Bourbon Street is the ultimate New Orleans experience and the main hotspot for Mardi Gras celebrations.
The street has gained a reputation for being a particularly vibrant spot for nightlife, full of bars, restaurants, clubs, and all the exciting aspects of the city's nightlife. Along the street are the beautiful houses of the quarter, characterized by wrought iron balconies. It's lively and crowded from late morning until the wee hours of the night.
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Royal Street
Royal Street is located one block south, parallel to Bourbon Street. While Bourbon is the city's lively and decadent entertainment street, Royal Street lives up to its name, boasting the most elegant facades in New Orleans. It's a tourist-filled street packed with art galleries, fancy restaurants, hotels, and here and there, bars fitting for the French Quarter.
Along the street, a significant portion of the historic homes and major sites in the district can be found, such as St. Louis Cathedral, the Supreme Court building, and more. There are also plenty of antique and vintage shops.
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Chartres Street
The third of the main streets of the French Quarter is Chartres Street. Similar to Decatur Street that runs parallel to it to the east, it is less glamorous than Royal Street and less lively than Bourbon Street. But it's still a street worth visiting, with several important sights along it, especially the striking spires and impressive façade of St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. The street is lined with restaurants, hotels, shops, and quite a few important historical homes.
Esplanade Avenue
Esplanade Avenue forms the northern boundary of the French Quarter. In the past, this avenue, stretching from the Mississippi River far to the City Park, was the most prestigious residential area of the French Quarter. Along the serene avenue stand elegant mansion homes, some from the 18th century and some newer. As you get closer to the Mississippi River, the avenue becomes more public, lined with several mansions converted into small hotels. This area also boasts great restaurants and shops.
Canal Street
If Jackson Square is the hub of the French Quarter and historic New Orleans, Canal Street is the headline heart of the American city of New Orleans. It merges the tourist grandeur of the French Quarter to its north with the American financial district to its south. This street is the southern boundary of the French Quarter and a key transportation route, alive with the city's streetcars. It combines the low colonial Spanish style buildings of the French Quarter with the modern skyscrapers of the American city.
Stretching down the street are luxury hotels and boutique hotels, prestigious stores, and a few historic buildings like the US Custom House. Adjacent to the Custom House is Canal Place, a mall featuring the most esteemed luxury brands. The stunning combination of old and new makes it one of the most beautiful walking areas in this vibrant city.
South of Jackson Square
The Historic New Orleans Collection Museum
The Historic New Orleans Collection is located right in the heart of the French Quarter on Royal Street, just a block and a half from the cathedral. The museum combines an important city archive along with exhibits related to historical items of the city or works by some of its greatest residents. The museum houses an important research institute that integrates the archive of Tennessee Williams, the Southern playwright associated with the city, mainly due to his famous play “A Streetcar Named Desire.” The place is also rich with materials related to the city's big bands and great jazz artists.
Address: Royal St. 520, New Orleans
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Louisiana Supreme Court
The impressive structure of the Louisiana Supreme Court occupies an entire block between Royal Street and Chartres Street, three blocks south of Jackson Square. It was built in 1910 in the French Beaux-Arts style, replacing a block of dilapidated houses in the district. The courthouse was constructed to revitalize the area during a time of decline, both in physical conditions and in housing a disadvantaged population, many of whom were descendants of Italian immigrants. The court's construction project faced scorn from neighborhood residents and is still considered a controversial building to this day.
Address: Royal St. 520, New Orleans
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a small and fascinating place. It is located in what was the first pharmacy to open in the USA, on Chartres Street, two blocks south of Jackson Square. Based on the original design of the pharmacy, the museum spans both floors of the building.
In the museum, you can see the special products that were sold at the pharmacy, a combination of grandma's remedies along with mid-19th century pharmacy practices. There are crowds of bottles, capsules, and all sorts of historical aids related to the pharmacy. The display includes old soda bottles, originating from the time when carbonated drinks were invented to help in taking medicines and dissolving them in the stomach.
Address: Chartres St. 514, New Orleans
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Napoleon House
One of the most popular restaurants in New Orleans, Napoleon House is a stunning blend of excellent Creole cuisine with an atmosphere preserved from 200 years ago. The house/restaurant consists of two buildings, the first built in 1798 and the second about 18 years later. The restaurant itself is very popular and it's recommended to book a table in advance. Inside, there is a lot of memorabilia related to the figure of Napoleon Bonaparte.
This house was the home of the French mayor Nicolas Girod who resided there in the early 19th century. Girod planned to free Napoleon from his imprisonment on the island of Saint Helena and bring him to the city, but the legendary French ruler died before the plan could be executed. As a result, the house got the name of the French emperor.
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Address: Chartres St. 500, New Orleans
The Hermann-Grima House and Gallier House Historical Museum
One of the most impressive historic houses in the French Quarter is located on Saint Louis Street, just a short walk from Bourbon Street. The house was built in 1831 in the American Federal style for the German Jewish merchant Samuel Hermann. After Hermann went bankrupt, the house was purchased by Judge Felix Grima.
Today, the house has been transferred to the city and opened as a charming period museum. The house displays decorative items that belonged to the judge, as well as luxurious antique furniture. Another house belonging to the museum is the Gallier House near the Ursuline Convent. It also features fascinating period furniture and offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the affluent in 19th-century New Orleans.
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Hermann-Grima House Address: St Louis St. 820, New Orleans
Gallier House Address: Royal St. 1132, New Orleans
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New Orleans Museum of Death
The macabre Museum of Death in New Orleans is part of the strange concept of engaging with death, which also includes a branch in Hollywood, Los Angeles. It's not exactly a museum but more of an exhibition space for things related to death, including photos from crime and suicide scenes, coffins, skulls, and more. For those interested in the almost Madame Tussauds-like display style, it can be a fascinating, disturbing, and frightening place (but only for those who love the genre).
Address: Dauphine St. 227, New Orleans
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Woldenberg Park
The park and river walk are a lovely spot to pause and admire the skyline of the financial district along with the slow and wide flow of the Mississippi River. In the green section, there are walking paths, benches, shade, and of course, a pleasant promenade right on the water's edge of this mighty river. The park's main attraction is the Steamboat Natchez at its northern end. The park's promenade continues northward to the French Market.
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North of Jackson Square
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
The ancient Ursuline Convent is currently the oldest building in the entire Mississippi River Valley. Built by the French in 1752, it served the order until 1824. Today, the convent and the nearby Saint Mary's Church serve as a museum, showcasing the treasures of the Catholic church and convent. The collection includes religious statues, stained glass windows, and antique wooden furniture. The museum also features the monastery's beautiful garden.
Opposite the convent are impressive mansions such as the Beauregard-Keyes House from 1826 and the Soniat House built in 1829, now transformed into an elegant hotel. Across the same block on Governor Nicholls Street stands the famous LaLaurie Mansion, rumored to be haunted, with tales of its owners killing their servants in a fire in 1834.
Address: 1100 Chartres St., New Orleans
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Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
The Lafitte House is one of the oldest homes in New Orleans, located in the more northern part of Bourbon Street. It was built in the mid-18th century and according to legend, it was used by the famous pirate brothers of New Orleans, Jean and Pierre Lafitte. Today, the house serves as a tavern and shop, and it's definitely worth stepping inside to see the old-style architecture and the unique sculptures inside, which were given to the bar as payment for the sculptor's drinks.
Address: 941 Bourbon St., New Orleans
