New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. New Orleans French Quarter Self-guided Walking Tour Visitor Information (504) 566-5003 (800) 672-6124 www.neworleanscvb.com Copyright May 2002. New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc. Reproduction without written permission is strictly prohibit- ed. Every effort was made to ensure accuracy of the information in this brochure. However, the NOMCVB assumes no responsibility forerrors or omissions. The NOMCVB makes no endorsement, representation, orwar- ranty regarding the suitability orquality of sites and tours available. The NOMCVB shall not be responsible orliable forany inaccuracy, omission, orinfringement of any third party’s rights therein; orforpersonal injury orany otherdamage orinjury whatsoever. Self-guided Walking Tour • Because of the close confines, often, the best view of these landmarks is from across the street. • There is a map on each side of this brochure for your convenience. • Approximate time: 2-3 hours with no stops. Add additional time if you would like to have lunch, tour landmarks, shop or explore things at your leisure. • Wear comfortable walking shoes, and watch for traffic! Louisiana Wild Life Museum and the United States Circuit Start here Court of Appeals for the Fifth Judicial District. After renovations are complete the building will house the four Circuits Court of 1 Appeals of Louisiana, a Louisiana Law Library, the State Attorney General’s Office and a museum. 301 Chartres Street; Kolly Townhouse, First Ursuline Convent and Charity Hospital Across from the main entrance of the court building is Jean-Daniel Kolly, banking counselor to the Elector of Bavaria and large investor in the Company of the Indies, had a town- 6 house built on this site shortly after the founding of New 417 Royal Street; Casa Faurie Orleans in 1718. Kolly leased the residence to the It now houses the famous Brennan’s Restaurant. This Ursuline nuns for a convent. Arriving from mansion was built soon after 1801 for the mater- Belize by pirogue on August 6, 1727, the nal grandfather of the French Impressionist nuns established themselves and remained painter, Edgar Degas. In 1805, the newly here until July 17, 1734. The building was organized Banque de la Louisiane bought the later used as the first Charity Hospital. property, and the bank’s monogram (BL) was added to the balcony railing. In 1819, the Walk 1 block down Bienville to Royal Street. bank closed and eventually the building was Turn right. At the end of the block is sold to Martin Gordon and became the social cen- ter of the city. When general Andrew Jackson revisited 2 New Orleans in 1828, he was feted at several lavish banquets in 334 Royal Street; Old Bank of Louisiana this house. However, in 1841, Mr. Gordon went broke and this This beautiful building was completed in 1826 to house the Bank building was sold at auction to Judge Alonzo Murphy. of Louisiana. For years this intersection was the city’s financial hub, with a bank on three of the four corners. It is currently the The cross street ahead of you is St. Louis. Turn left. Go a block site of the French Quarter 8th District Police Station, and a and a half to Tourist Information Center. 7 Across the street on Royal is 820 St. Louis Street; 3 The Hermann-Grima House William Brand constructed this house for Samuel Hermann, Sr., 343 Royal Street; Old Bank of the United States a well-to-do commission merchant, in 1831. Hermann sold the This structure, built in 1800, is the oldest of many buildings in premises in 1844 to Felix Grima, a prominent attorney and which banks have been located. Its balcony railings are excep- notary. This is an example of American influences on New tionally good examples of hand-forged (wrought) ironwork. Orleans Architecture. The handsome Federal mansion with its courtyard garden boasts the only horse stable and functional out- Next, after you cross Conti Street, you will see door kitchen in the Quarter. 4 403 Royal Street; Old Louisiana State Bank Retrace your steps to Royal. Turn left. Down a little, in the middle of the block is Note the bank’s monogram (LB) in the delicate wrought iron of the balcony railing. The Louisiana State Bank, which opened for 8 business in 1821, was designed by one of the architects of the 520 Royal Street; U.S. Capitol in Washington; Benjamin H. Latrobe. Maison Seignouret Francois Seignouret, a French Wine merchant, built this splen- That large white building across the street takes the entire did house in 1816. Seignouret, also a talented furniture maker, 5 produced here some of the finest furniture ever made. He always 400 block of Royal Street; managed to work his initial, an “S”, into his pieces. One can be New Orleans Court Building seen in the elaborate, fan-shaped iron garde de fries on the left- Erected in 1908-09, this marble edifice was occupied by the on the third story. The grillwork is often obstructed by a shutter disastrous fire of 1794. The now famous Pat O’Briens bar occu- – a door with slats, which is both decorative and purposeful by pies both the building and the magnificent courtyard behind it. providing shade to homes in the hot months. Return to Royal. At the opposite corner is 13 Across Royal is 640 Royal Street; Maison LeMonnier 9 (First Skyscraper) 533 Royal Street; Merieult House Frequently described as the “first skyscraper,” this three-story The fires of 1788 and 1794 reduced practically the whole city to structure was built in 1811 by Dr. Yves LeMonnier and the ashes. Only two principal structures escaped the flames. One of prominent pharmacist Francois Grandchamps. Dr. LeMonnier’s them was this dignified building, built in 1792 by Jean Francois third-floor study is to this day regarded as the most beautiful Merieult. His lovely wife, Catherine McNamara was endowed chamber, architecturally, in New Orleans. Wrought into the iron with a glorious head of shining red hair. When she was in Paris balcony railings can be seen the doctor’s initials, “YLM.” with her husband, she was approached by an emissary from the Emperor Napoleon…asking for her hair! Napoleon was eager Turn off Royal onto St. Peter. A little more than half a block for France to make an alliance with a reluctant Sultan of Turkey, along is who wished to present one of his harem with a wig of light, bright color. His Majesty saw the opportunity to score a great 14 diplomatic victory – with Madame’s crowning glory! Madame 615 S. Peter Street; Louisiana State Arsenal Catherine refused, though Napoleon offered a castle. Merieult During the years of Spanish dominance, this was the site of the House is now owned by the Kemper and Leila Williams prison, or calabozo. After the American takeover in 1803, the Foundation, and houses the foundation’s Historic New Orleans State of Louisiana constructed a state arsenal on this spot for the Collection of maps, prints, drawings, documents, and artifacts. Louisiana Legion, a military organization made up of the state’s best families, Creole and American. Now, the building is a part Look across the street to of the Louisiana State Museum complex. 10 Backtrack to the short alley, Cabildo Alley. 534/536 Royal Street; Casa de Comercio Ahead of you is another passageway. It is An excellent example of forthright Spanish architecture in New Orleans, this building was built after the December 1794 fire. 15 Pirates Alley Continue down Royal to St. Peter. Turn left, and go to Legend says that somewhere along this passage Major-General 11 Jackson conferred with the freebooters Jean Lafitte and Pierre Lafitte about the forthcoming defense of New Orleans. The alley 714 St. Peter Street; LeMonnier House simply did not exist at that time! It was cut 16 years later (1831), Built in 1829, for the well-known physician, Dr. Yves and given the official name, Ruelle d’Orleans, Sud – meaning LeMonnier, this house acquired its most notable occupant, something like Orleans Walkway, South. Antoine Alciatoire, in 1860. Antoine operated a boarding house, preparing such succulent dishes as his famed spread. This even- Take a left onto Pirates Alley. On your left is tually led to the opening of the restaurant which has given him an international reputation. His direct descendants still own and 16 operate this restaurant. 624 Pirates Alley; Faulkner House Here in 1925, William Faulkner, nobel laureate, wrote his first Only a few steps away is novel, “Soldier’s Pay.” The building was erected in 1840 by the 12 widow of Jean Baptiste LaBranche on a site formerly occupied by part of the yard and buildings of the French Colonial Prison. 718 St. Peter Street; Maison de Flechier This ancient structure is believed to have been commissioned by well-known planter, Etienne Marie de Flechier, just after the Continue down Pirates Alley to Royal Street and stop at the disastrous fire of 1794. The now famous Pat O’Briens bar occu- intersection of pies both the building and the magnificent courtyard behind it. continued from other side 17 Royal and Orleans Streets, behind the St. Louis Cathedral; St. Anthony’s Square/Cathedral Garden The marble monument in the center of this small, iron-fenced garden was erected by the Minister of the Navy under Napoleon III. It was dedicated in honor of 30 French Marines who gave their lives serving as volunteer nurses during a Louisiana Yellow Fever epidemic. The garden has borne several names. “Cathedral Garden” is its official title, but many call it St Anthony’s Square, in memory of the most beloved individual in the colony’s history, a priest, Antonio de Sedella.