New Orleans

   The Spanish had explored and claimed the area that became Louisiana for two hundred years but failed to sufficiently occupy it to keep intruders out. So Louis XIV sought control of the Mississippi Valley all the way from New France in Canada to the Gulf of Mexico in order to block the British from expanding beyond the Atlantic coast. In 1698 Louis designated Pierre LeMoyne the Governor-General of the territory named for himself, Louis-iana. Pierre’s younger brother, Jean-Baptiste LeMoyne, was founder of New Orleans in 1718. The site was chosen because it was the first high ground upstream from the mouth of the Mississippi at a bend or crescent in the river--thus the Crescent City. Nouvelle Orleans was named for Philippe II, Duke of Orleans and became the capital of Louisiana.  

   But the French lost the Seven Years War (called the French and Indians War in America) and, to keep Louisiana from the British, ceded the territory to Spain in 1763. A distinctive Creole culture evolved over the next 40 years as French, Spanish, Caribbean, and African influences melded together. New Orleans prospered under Spain through trade with Cuba and Mexico and even more so as Americans west of the Appalachians shipped goods down the Mississippi to reach markets in the Caribbean, South America and Europe.

   In 1800 Louisiana returned to the French through Napoleon’s conquests in Europe. But in 1803 Napoleon was running short of cash so he sold Louisiana to Thomas Jefferson. The Louisiana Purchase covered a huge territory, all or part of what later became 11 states, much of it famously explored by Lewis and Clark. Who, by the way, started in St. Louis and headed northwest up the Missouri River, never entering what was later the State of Louisiana. 

St. Joan of Arc, the Maid of Orleans, is represented in the French Quarter by the statue that was a gift from France to the city in 1972. It seems improbable but I have heard that she might also be associated with a football team.

The Cathedral of St. Louis stands on Jackson Square.

The deceased are not buried below ground in New Orleans because of the frequent flooding of the Mississippi and tremendous rains that can accompany hurricanes. 

It is not advisable to enter the cemetery at night. Ghosts might be imaginary but thieves and muggers are definitely real.

A city ordinance requires all visitors to have a beignet and cafe au lait.

We are law abiding citizens.

Our favorite hotel in the French Quarter.

Just because of the name. Have never actually stayed there.

Street musicians in New Orleans perform to exceptionally high standards.

The French Quarter is compact enough to explore easily on foot.

Or you can get a carriage tour that begins on Jackson Square.

Where street artists are comfortable having people peek over their shoulders.

Living statues stand perfectly still in order to surprise unsuspecting children and tourists.

The statue of Andrew Jackson in his namesake square celebrates his victory over the British in the War of 1812. Actually, the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed before the Battle of New Orleans. 

The battlefield is just  five miles downstream from the French Quarter.

The battle took place at Chalmette Plantation where the Rene Beauregard House serves as the park visitor center.

Bayou Road eventually ends where the shrimp boats tie up at the mouth of the river.

One of the lessons of Hurricane Katrina is that the storm surge can easily flood your home. Contactors continue to raise homes up on stilts.

Not practicable in the Garden District where elegant Victorian era homes have survived anyway.

Up the Great River Road from New Orleans are archetypal Southern Plantations such as Oak Alley

Everyone knows the ancient lives oaks are necessary to form impressive entrance allees. Spanish moss is widely recognized. Less so is resurrection fern. It turns brown during dry spells but comes back to life after a brief shower.

Guides and docents are often dressed in period costumes.