La Nouvelle-Orléans (New Orleans) was founded May 7, 1718, by the French Mississippi Company, under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, on land inhabited by the Chitimacha. It was named for Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, who was Regent of the Kingdom of France at the time. His title came from the French city of Orléans.
Napoleon sold Louisiana (New France) to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.
The story goes that Napoleon originally was gifted New Orleans by the Spanish king, Napoleon wanted it because he had sugar plantations new there and could sell and ship his sugar better with that port, but when his sugar plantations burnt down and he no longer needed the port he offered it to the United States for 10 million dollars, he then realized he didn't need any of that region anymore and told them if they through in another 5 million he would sell them the whole state, they excepted and it became the Louisiana Purchase.
The french Quarter is full of bustling streets, Jazz music and french creole architecture.
Marie Laveau was the so called voodoo Queen of New Orleans, she was actually a hair dresser and devout catholic whom used superstition and the salon gossip to elevate herself in a world where the only opportunities given to women of color were the ones you took.
Since Hurricane Katrina it has taken this city 8 years to even come close to where it was, there is still old business buildings that need to be demoed and replaced but the spirit of New Orleans has returned.
The Cafe Du Monde opening in 1862 by a creole freed slave women, whom sold coffee on the side and earned enough money to buy he freedom, she opened the Cafe as well as buying carts to sell the coffee on the city streets and employed other slaves so that they would also earn the money to pay for their freedom. They have been serving coffee and beignets out of the building ever since. They survived two major Hurricanes, the French, Slavery and inflation. Cafe Du Monde is a Historical gem and a must visit anytime your in town.
Since Hurricane Katrina it has taken this city 8 years to even come close to where it was, there is still old business buildings that need to be demoed and replaced but the spirit of New Orleans has returned. 