French Quarter
French Quarter · Vieux Carré · New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
New Orleans' old town: ironwork balconies, street jazz — and most of the houses were actually built under Spanish rule.
Antes de ir · Know before you go
- On Bourbon Street you can drink in the street from a plastic cup, but not from glass bottles
- don't sit drinking or make noise on residents' stoops
- don't walk alone into quiet streets late at night
Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.
Stories & people
Historias y personajes
Historia
The river bend Bienville chose
In 1717 Bienville, governor of Louisiana, wrote to the directors of France's Mississippi Company that he had found a crescent-shaped bend in the Mississippi sheltered from tidal surges and hurricanes, recommending that the colony's new capital be built there. With approval, he founded New Orleans in the spring of 1718 (7 May later became the traditional founding date, though nobody actually knows the exact day). The city grew up around its central square, the 'Place d'Armes' of the old town — today's French Quarter.
Historia
The 'French Quarter' after two great fires
In 1763 New Orleans was ceded to Spain. Two great fires, in 1788 and 1794, destroyed 80% of the city's buildings, and the Spanish then issued strict fire regulations: wooden façades were banned, and buildings had to be of brick, rendered and painted in the soft colours fashionable at the time. So most of the buildings in the old town now called the 'French Quarter' were in fact built under Spanish rule and in the early years of American control.
Fuente: Wikipedia: French Quarter
Culture
Cultura y costumbres
Contexto cultural
Bienville founded New Orleans in 1718, and the city grew up around its central square, the 'Vieux Carré'. After the Seven Years' War ended in 1763, New Orleans was ceded to Spain. Two great fires in 1788 and 1794 destroyed 80% of the city's buildings, so almost all of today's French Quarter dates from after the 1790s. The Spanish imposed strict fire regulations, banning wooden façades and requiring stuccoed brick walls painted in the soft colours fashionable at the time — the look of the French Quarter today.
Costumbres locales
- Street musicians are the soul of the place — if you enjoy the music, drop some money in the case
- at Mardi Gras, beads are thrown from balconies to the crowds
Etiquette
Normas y tabúes
Normas que se aplican aquí
Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over
- Signal right and pull over safely to the right
- Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
- At night, turn on the interior light
- Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
- Getting out and walking towards the police car
- Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat
Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.
Sin verificarFuente: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook
No lo haga DON'T
- On Bourbon Street you can drink in the street from a plastic cup, but not from glass bottles
- don't sit drinking or make noise on residents' stoops
- don't walk alone into quiet streets late at night
Lo que aprecian los locales DO
Locals appreciate visitors who tip street musicians and respect the residents who live in the old town.
Plan your visit
Información práctica
| Mejor época | Morning and evening |
|---|---|
| Tiempo recomendado | Half a day |
Consejos de viaje
- Start at Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral
- have beignets in the morning
- at night the jazz bars of Frenchmen Street are more authentic than Bourbon Street
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