French Quarter: The Vieux Carre - New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans' Most Famous Neighborhood. Also known as the Vieux Carre

Often called the Crown Jewel of New Orleans, the French Quarter is one of NOLA's most historic neighborhoods. But you'll find plenty of new mixed in with the old. There’s a reimagined French Market, modern boutiques and artisan cocktails mix with beloved antique stores and old restaurants.  (Antoine’s. Arnaud’s. Galatoire’s. Brennan’s – the world would be far less flavorful without you!)

Like the Creole aristocrats lining the galleries of the Historic New Orleans Collection, the French Quarter is a timeless portrait – especially come dusk when swallows glide above the fortunetellers on Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral’s butter-crème-colored walls reflect the fiery sunset. Ghost tours troop past mad Madame LaLaurie’s mansion while neon signs stutter to life on Bourbon Street where syrupy red Hurricanes, slosh in famed ‘go cups’– those plastic tumblers responsible for uncountable curbside parties. Night falls. Horse hooves clop, music throbs and gaslights flicker in a place full of long-told legends and those waiting to be born. Create one of your own.

Insider's Guide to the French Quarter

Quick Facts & Tips

  • YEAR FOUNDED: 1718
  • VIBE: Romantic, mysterious and jazzy
  • KNOWN FOR: Bohemian charm, Jackson Square history, Steamboat cruises, Bourbon Street fun, Old-world architecture, Century-old restaurants
  • Steamboat Natchez
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    Things to Do

    With so much culture, history and entertainment, you’ll find a unique and exciting experience around every corner with choices from museums, tours, riverboat rides...

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  • Brennan's Restaurant
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    Eat

    Nowhere else in New Orleans are there as many memorable dining establishments as there are in the French Quarter. From 19th century Creole cuisine to contemporary...

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  • Carousel Bar
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    Drink

    Famous for its bars and clubs, the French Quarter has a nightlife scene unlike any other.

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  • Royal Street Shopping
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    Shop

    Welcome to shopping in the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans and a designated National Historic Landmark. Whether you’re searching for jewelry...

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  • Hotel St. Helene
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    Stay

    Whether you prefer a quaint, tucked away inn or a hotel right in the middle of the bustling French Quarter, you’ll find the perfect accommodations in this...

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History

Founded by the French in 1718, the Quarter is New Orleans’ oldest neighborhood. Touched by centuries of influence from across the globe, the Vieux Carré tells ages-old stories of trade, pirates,...

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Architecture

From cast iron balconies and walled courtyards, to colorful Creole cottages and townhouses, the “Vieux Carré” is a unique collection of historic French, Spanish, Creole, and American...

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Transportation

Central to the city’s most popular attractions, the French Quarter is best travelled by foot, pedicab, or even horse and buggy. If you choose to drive downtown, public parking lots are available for a...

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