History and Location
The French Market in New Orleans has existed since 1791, and is a large area that is not to be missed in the French Quarter. It began as a Native-American trading post and over the centuries it has morphed into the vibrant epicenter it is today. Most people think of the French Market area as being the two building sections located to the northeast of Ursulines Ave. However, the French Market area not only includes those two building sections. In addition, it also encompasses the entire area that includes shops, Dutch Alley and Café du Monde.
For our purposes, I’ll be talking about the two main buildings that have the French Market sign over the arched building entrance. The French Market has two distinct sections in this building, the market area and flea market area. Restrooms are located in the flea market area. Just ask a vendor where they are located if you don’t see them.
What to Expect at the French Market
It’s worth a stroll through the French Market in New Orleans to try some unique foods of the area. The market has many food vendors serving sweets like pralines and beignets and fresh seafood like oysters, shrimp, and crawfish. Our recommendations on where to go for sweet beignets and savory beignets are here. In addition, you can also find unique food items like alligator sausage, which was surprisingly very tasty!
You may even be entertained by watching the oyster shucker shuck oysters, if he is there. There are shops like hot sauce vendors and a plant vendor, where we purchased plumeria plants from.
Flea Market
After you walk through the market section, it changes to a flea market. Vendors in this section can change daily. So, if you see something and think you may visit another day to purchase it, don’t count on it being there. However, general souvenirs of items like t-shirts are always available.
Further information about the French Market is available at http://www.frenchmarket.org/
To view the location of the French Market on a map, click here.
What are you looking forward to experiencing in the French Market area? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.