New Orleans’ French Quarter covers a grid of 98 square blocks stretching back from the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans. It was known to the French, who colonised the state of Louisiana in 1718, as Vieux Carré, or Old Square, and contains some superb examples of 18th- and 19th-century architecture. It was in fact the Spanish, who gained control of Louisiana in 1762, who constructed many of the buildings that are still there today after most of the original French buildings were destroyed by fire in the late 18th century. The focal point of the French Quarter is Jackson Square which is home to several monuments and churches including St Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in the USA, and the Cabildo, which was the meeting place of the Spanish council in colonial times and now home to the Louisiana State Museum. Bourbon Street is famous for its many jazz clubs and bars. In February each year, the French Quarter plays host to the city’s colourful Mardi Gras celebrations, one of the world’s most famous carnivals, with music, dancing, food, floats and parades.
Air: New Orleans International Airport. Rail: Train: New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal. Tram: Riverfront Streetcar. Road: Car: I-10 (from Houston, Los Angeles or Jacksonville); I-55 (from Memphis, Chicago or St Louis); I-59 (from Birmingham or Chattanooga).

New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau Inc, 1520 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Tel: (504) 566 5011
Website: www.neworleanscvb.com

Louisiana Office of Tourism
Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, PO Box 94291, Capitol Station, Baton Rouge, LA 70804, USA
Tel: (225) 342 8100 or (800) 227 4386 (toll free USA and Canada only). Fax: (225) 342 8390. E-mail: free.info@crt.state.la.us
Website: www.crt.state.la.us/crt/tourism.htm or www.louisianatravel.com
Louisiana Office of Tourism
33 Market Place, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1DY, UK
Tel: (01462) 458 696. Fax: (01462) 455 391. E-mail: ttmkirsty@enterprise.net

United States of America, New Orleans