"New Orleans, a colorful city." New Orleans by tompt

New Orleans Travel Guide: 4,160 reviews and 7,180 photos

french quarter, New Orleans - New Orleans

New Orleans is a colorful city located in the south of Louisiana, USA.

In 1728 Sieur de Bienville, a French Canadian, and Scottish Minister of Finance for France John Law had chosen this location together to create a new French city. It was named for the new Regent of France, Duc d'Orleans. The city they mapped out with a triangle and a T-square is today's French Quarter.

Critics were saying the new city would simply sink into the swampy undergrounds or wash away.

But this muddy, damp, mosquito-infested swamp-city would become a international known one.

New Orleans would rapidly become a melting pot. When Bienville asked the French government to assist by providing settlers, France gladly sent swarms of citizens from its lowest society, including assorted misfits and criminals. Law traveled throughout the European continent speaking of the new city as a place of the future. In response the aristocracy of France began to arrive in New Orleans, along with a tough working class of farmers, merchants, soldiers and servants.
The land surrounding the city was cleared by German farmers and slaves from Africa and French Caribbean locations.

Louis XV of France gave Louisiana to his cousin, Charles III of Spain.

March 21, 1788 the city was destroyed by a huge fire, and New Orleans was rebuilt with a Spanish architectural flair. In 1800, the city was transferred back to France, and remained a French city until Napoleon sold it to the U.S. in 1803 for the unprecedented sum of $15 million.

Mardi Gras artefacts for sale

All this different influences made New Orleans very different from other american cities.
The vibrant colors, the jazz music, the drinks, the food..........
Just experience it, and find out for yourself if you like it or not.

If you want to know more:
http://www.neworleanscvb.com/, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau.
http://www.neworleansonline.com/, tourism site of New Orleans.
http://www.new-orleans.la.us/home/, the city of New Orleans.

Last visit to New Orleans: Oct 2003
Intro Updated Mar 19, 2005
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Reviews (21)

French- spanish- english ?? - New Orleans

French- spanish- english ?? Favorites (2)

New Orleans started of as a french city, was then given to the spanish, became french again and ended up with the... more travel advice

shoe shining Local Customs (3)

Have a cup of coffee while your shoes are polished. When in uniform you have to have shining boots, this is the way to... more travel advice

horse and carriage Transportation (1)

Climb aboard a carriage. There are many of them leaving from Jackson Square in the French District. Length of carriage... more travel advice

Mississippi steamers Things to Do (9)

The Mississippi is the main river through New Orleans. At this river you can cruise with a steamer. For example the... more travel advice

Shopping (5)
See All Coffee with beignets

Restaurants (1)
Feel like in the movie

Travelogues (4)

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Comments (6)

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stjoankrewe Dec 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM

Join us for the first annual St. Joan of Arc Parade! Please visit www.stjoankrewe.blogspot.com for additional information.
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ABL1958 Dec 15, 2003 at 6:10 PM

We could have spent hours more here...but maybe there'll be another day? Beautiful pictures on all these pages! Well done.
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Helga67 Nov 27, 2003 at 1:52 PM

Very good info for only a short stay in New Orleans. I liked this city very much. It is really different from the rest of the US.
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Sharrie Nov 26, 2003 at 10:39 PM

Wow! U've been traveling & "working" hard :-) Looks like a great place to be. My last movie at the IMAX is Matrix Revolution!
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diamonddog Nov 26, 2003 at 7:51 AM

Hehehe... Great page here and some fine photos!! , but i wonder: no nightlife? have to go myself then....
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irisbe Nov 23, 2003 at 1:26 PM

Excellent page!!! What a tips `-) some made me smile! but what a lovely place! Hope I can visit this too one day!