Explorations of the most famous neighborhood of New Orleans.
New Orleans as a bunch of historic neighborhoods, but none are more famous than the French Quarter. It is the oldest neighborhood in the city. Founded in 1718, New Orleans was established by the French, but later claimed by the Spanish. In fact, most of the historic French Quarter was actually developed during the Spanish Period (1763-1803). Most of the buildings that survive today were built after a devastating fire in the 1790s. The French Quarter is arranged around a central square, and that’s where I will begin.
Jana Irving Jackson Square was originally founded in 1721, without the statue of Jackson.
Jana Irving Construction on St. Louis Cathedral started in 1789 after the big fire. Alterations continued until the 1850s.
Jana Irving On two sides of Jackson Square are the matching Pontalba Buildings. Built by Baroness Pontalba, the buildings were the first recorded in New Orleans to have cast iron galleries, now a staple of New Orleans architecture.
Jana Irving Can’t be New Orleans without those famous galleries.
Jana Irving Classic New Orleans.
Jana Irving ll around the French Quarter are these ceramic tile street signs.
Jana Irving I headed towards a quieter part of the French Quarter.
Jana Irving Balcony goals.
Jana Irving The Old Ursuline Convent (1753), the city’s oldest building. Now a museum.
Jana Irving A lovely formal garden across the street from the convent.
Jana Irving Very cute buildings.
Jana Irving A very detailed gallerie.
Jana Irving A section of the French Quarter is more residential.
Jana Irving Several old housings have been fantastically restored.
Jana Irving Love that color.
Jana Irving Adorable.
Jana Irving Very fancy.
Jana Irving The French Quarter people are most familiar with.
Jana Irving I adore these houses.
Jana Irving Back on the main drag. The building is awesome.
Jana Irving I did actually go into a couple of museums. This is the 1850 House, centrally located on Jackson Square in one of the Pontabla Buildings.
Jana Irving The museum doesn’t represent a certain family or house, but is representative of the mid-19th century era.
Jana Irving A child’s room. The lighting was horrendous.
Jana Irving Very tiny courtyard. The back of the house was used for enslaved people.
Jana Irving The next museum was Hermann-Grima House, constructed in 1831.
Jana Irving The courtyard in this house is much larger. The service wing was basically a separate building here.
Jana Irving The museum focuses mainly on the lives of the people that were enslaved here.
Jana Irving A way to show off your wealth at the time was to give nice furniture to the people they enslaved, usually hand-me-downs.
Jana Irving It’s fairly fancy main house.
Jana Irving Restored parlor.
Jana Irving A child’s very fancy bedroom.
Jana Irving And now, a few more honorable mentions, starting with this fancy building.
Jana Irving I just really like this door.
Jana Irving The potted plant garden.
The French Quarter was a lot different that I thought it would be. Of course, I started walking around at 9 am. If you get out early, you can enjoy the architecture in peace apparently. I really recommend visiting the French Quarter, even if you aren’t into partying. It was just a treat seeing the unique architecture. Also, take a drive around the Garden District. Those houses are very fancy.
Check out my next update where I explore a few of New Orleans’ cemeteries!
or
Check out more of my Wandering series!
I love NOLA. One of my favorite cities. Is has everything I love…music, food, and history.
New Orleans is my favorite “get-down” city. I’ve visited 4 times and looking forward to another visit in the very new future.