The French Market in NOLA is one of the central historical landmarks of the city. The oldest public market in the U.S., The French Market was founded in 1791 and has existed on the same site ever since, though it has changed numerous times. It began as a Native American trading post where, later on, African Americans would sell coffee and pralines, and has become one of the most intercultural and diverse venues in the city, featuring people from all over the globe.
Upcoming events
The French Market is also a popular place for a variety of events. For example, there is a lot of local cuisine to be tried, such as Cajun and Creole dishes. In relation to that, one forthcoming and notable event is the French Market Creole Tomato Festival which this year will be taking place on June 8 – 9, dedicated to the famous and loved vegetable. June is when Creole tomato dishes arrive at the French Market and there are many events that accompany the festival. There are eating contests, cooking demonstrations, local farmers’ booths with produce and even a Creole Tomato Parade!
Apart from the festival, there is a variety of events that take place on a regular basis, such as Free Yoga and Meditation classes each Saturday, French Market Fare – a program that seeks to accentuate the cuisine and culinary highlights of New Orleans, free district walking tours on Mondays and more.
Dining out and shopping
If you’d just like to sit down and have a meal or go shopping, the French Market offers a number of of popular places to do so. Decatur St. has Café du Monde which serves, according to good old French Market tradition, Café au lait and beignets. There’s also the Gazebo Cafe, where you can enjoy some local Cajun or Creole dishes and listen to some live music.
The Farmers Market also has a number of popular and attractive dining venues. There’s the French Market Produce, where you can buy fresh juices, local produce, nuts, coffee and more. For lovers of seafood, there’s J’s Seafood Dock, serving a variety of popular NOLA seafood dishes, such as oysters, shrimp and crab. Or how about some pralines from Loretta’s Pralines, with their big variety of homemade sweets?
Finally, there’s a long list of stores that have books, cards, prints and gifts as well as clothes or art, some of which made by local artists and artisans. Speaking of shopping, a really worthwhile destination is the Flea Market that, in the spirit of the French market, features merchants from all over the world, each offering their unique items.
If you’ll be visiting NOLA and the French Market has your attention, we can always give you hand or rather – a ride. Just give us a call at (877) 592-2226 and we will send one of our limos to pick you up and take you anywhere you want to go in NOLA, and introduce you to the best places for dining, shopping, dancing and generally having a great time. We are at your disposition.