French Quarter

The French Quarter is an old neighborhood in New Orleans, United States, stretching along the Mississippi River. The buildings show wrought-iron balconies, interior courtyards with plants, and pastel-colored facades, while the streets are often narrow and lined with two-story houses.

The settlement began in 1718 as a French trading post along the riverbank. After a major fire in 1788, most buildings were reconstructed under Spanish administration, giving the district its present-day appearance.

Local artists sell their work directly on the sidewalks and many city residents come here to have their morning coffee in the small cafés. The name refers to the early French colonists, though the visible architecture with its wrought-iron decoration comes mostly from the later Spanish period.

A walk through the district is best done on foot, as the streets are narrow and many are one-way. Early morning hours are a good time to see the architecture quietly before the streets fill with visitors.

The entire settlement sits only about one meter (3 feet) above sea level and is therefore vulnerable to flooding during heavy rain. Within the boundaries of the district are small waterways and canals that were part of the original drainage system from colonial times.