French Market

Within the shopping arcades of forgettable souvenirs, mediocre art and overrated food, it’s easy to forget that for centuries this was the great bazaar and pulsing commercial heart of much of New Orleans. Today the French Market is a bit sanitized, a safari through a tourist jungle of curios, flea markets and harmless, shiny tat that all equals great family-friendly fun. Occasionally you’ll spot some genuinely fascinating and/or unique arts and craftwork. The Spanish built the first meat-and-produce market here in 1791, which was destroyed by hurricane and fire. In 1813 the replacement Halle des Boucheries (Meat Market), at 900 Decatur St, was designed, and during the 1930s the Works Progress Administration (WPA) extensively renovated (and in some respects, remodeled) the city-managed French Market from St Ann to Barracks Sts. The cupolas atop the old Meat Market were added at this time, as was the sturdy colonnade that runs the length of the market. Radio station WWOZ currently airs from a French Market building.