The nascent outpost became the capital of the French Colony of Louisiana in 1723. In 1800, the Spanish retroceded Louisiana back to France, only to have Napoleon sell the entire Louisiana colony, including New Orleans, to the United States as part of the $15 million Louisiana Purchase, finalized on December 20, 1803.
The French Quarter is the city’s historic heart, famous for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies. Crowd-pleasing Bourbon Street features jazz clubs, Cajun eateries and raucous bars serving potent cocktails. Quieter streets lead to the French Market, with gourmet food and local crafts, and to Jackson Square where street performers entertain in front of soaring St. Louis Cathedral.
The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, also called St. Louis Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States. It is dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France.Walking up and down Royal and Bourbon Street. Since it’s just before 9 am, most doors and windows are still closed but we’re good tourists and don’t waste sunlight ;)Making nose prints on some cool shop windows.The US are the best when it comes to shirt prints. Nice, colorful, spot on messages. Never found anything like it in Europe or New Zealand.Horse-drawn carriages were the original ride share and the chief way folks traversed the city’s unpaved streets and byways. Mule-drawn carriages still line up on the Decatur side of Jackson Square, offering leisurely city tours, filled with colorful commentary. Carriages can also be hired for groups and special events, a mode of transportation that always makes a memorable impression, also for the onlookers.Christmas themed horse carriage.Later in the Morning: You can start to hideout now. Begin on the high chairs in the front, then work yourself inside and up the stairs.Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street, famous for all day Jazz and baking … but can the sugary beignets live up to their name? Tripadvisor reviews are not so sure.The cafes and bars are not too full, the perks of traveling during a pandemic!Acme Oyster House – Just off Bourbon Street, Acme is a timeless New Orleans establishment, popular with locals for generations. A vintage slice of New Orleans life in a casual, down-home atmosphere. Recommended: oyster, shrimp, fish plates.Inside an artist’s studio and showroom.In NYC, they are life-saving fire escapes in buildings of five stories or less.In cities like New Orleans and Charleston, outdoor staircases are an architectural tradition, adding beauty and charm to historic neighborhoods.Discovering New Orleans at one horsepower.The Royal House on Bourbon – They serve Cajun-style dishes and fresh oysters from the nearby Gulf of Mexico. Our oyster bar offers oysters both on and off the shell, as well as fried, grilled, and raw oysters that are shucked to order. Our lunch and dinner menu includes several food categories, including fried seafood platters, po-boys, sandwiches, desserts, soups, salads, and boiled seafood.Throwing a look into a gallery showroom.Lunch time nears, looking for some bench to rest and eat the ready made salad bowls we bought on the go.Streetlife.Rouses Markets on Bourbon – They really have Taco Tuesdays!!!Fischer Gambino on Bourbon – Interesting shop with a mixed menagerie of lamps, chandeliers, furniture and figurines.The music corner.Balcony banners.Another antiques and/or art store.It would pay off to come back in the late afternoon to have the other side of the street in sunlight as well :)Carriage romantic.beaustanton and shinanov collaborative mural at the historic Homer Plessy Schools on Royal street.Balconies on Royal.Wandering in the covered pavements of Royal Street.Decoration 1A.All that green stuff needs watering though.Outskirts of the historic quarter, still nice but spruced up to fit in.Further down the street, the private residences start.Time to turn around, look for that Voodoo Museum at last and then return to the car park.Musicians, artists, tourists, everybody welcome!Farmers Market – between French Market Place and North Peters St.Waiting for a companion?Decatur St.Jeanne d’Arc statue with banners on the Place de France.Car is just around the corner now. It was a bit hard finding something reasonable priced but once parked and app installed, they even send reminders before the time runs out, how convenient.True horse power – decorated car art made in New Orleans.Last scene for today! Will walk more tomorrow :P
