Creole culture, jazz and the charm of the southern states
One of the most attractive destinations in the south of the USA is the port city of New Orleans on the Mississippi River, which was founded as a French settlement in 1718 and sold to the United States by Napoleon in 1803 together with the Louisiana colony.
The metropolis, also affectionately known as “The Big Easy”, fascinates visitors with its carefree attitude to life and an exciting mix of different cultures – Spanish, French and African-American influences have shaped architecture, language and gastronomy. Last but not least, New Orleans has achieved world fame as the cradle of jazz – one of the most famous jazz musicians of all time, Louis Armstrong, was born here
Experience world-class colonial architecture and gastronomy in New Orleans Sightseeing
The most beautiful part of the city is the historic old town of New Orleans, the French Quarter with impressive buildings from the Spanish and French colonial times. Visit the spacious Madame John’s Legacy, which served as a backdrop in the film Interview with a Vampire, and let the magnificent Creole architecture take you back in time.
Other architectural highlights include the Roman Catholic St Louis Cathedral on central Jackson Square, built in 1718, and the Old Post Office and Custom House on Canal Street. The cemeteries known as “Cities of the Dead” – the dead are not laid to rest in the ground but in mausoleums – are also worth a visit with their slightly morbid charm.
A special attraction for both tourists and locals is the French Market with shops, bars, cafés and restaurants. Even before the Europeans settled here, the Choctaw Indians traded here. In the famous Café du Monde you can taste at least as famous Beignets (delicious doughnuts fried in hot fat) and enjoy a Café au lait!
Food culture has a high priority in New Orleans. Here, Spanish, French and African influences combine with modern American gastronomy. The Cajun specialities and Creole cuisine are particularly famous – try the spicy gumbo stew with okra pods and seafood, freshly caught Louisiana land crabs and golf oysters or jambalaya, a tasty rice dish with vegetables and meat or fish. Those who want to indulge in an exclusive dinner will be spoilt for choice between numerous award-winning restaurants – Antoine’s, Brennan’s and Arnaud’s are known far beyond the city limits for their excellent cuisine.
In addition to the French Quarter, the city has many other sights to offer. The Garden District with its magnificent historic city villas, the Magazine Street, which offers excellent shopping opportunities for handicrafts, and the renowned New Orleans Museum of Art, which houses works by European and American painters, are particularly worth mentioning.
Jazz music, pulsating nightlife and the legendary carnival in “The Big Easy”.
New Orleans is considered the birthplace of jazz. At the beginning of the 20th century, the fusion of European music with Afro-American and Latin American styles resulted in the typical New Orleans jazz with a strong emphasis on brass. Jazz as well as rhythm and blues and Cajun music still play an important role in cultural life today. Exciting concerts regularly take place in the famous Preservation Hall music club in the French Quarter, as well as at the Jazz and Heritage Festival (April/May) and the French Quarter Festival (mid-April). The Satchmo Summer Fest (beginning of August) was named after the legendary jazz musician Louis Armstrong. During your stay in New Orleans, be sure to get a taste of the legendary nightlife. After dark, the area around Bourbon Street becomes a party mile. The numerous night and jazz clubs party until the early hours of the morning.
Especially lively is the French Quarter at the carnival. National and international, the colourful parades and the celebrations at “Mardi Gras”, the “fat Tuesday” before the lean Lent, are famous. A visit to New Orleans during carnival is an unforgettable experience. Let the inspiring atmosphere infect you!
Discover Louisiana’s nature and history in the “deep south
In Louisiana, the romance of the southern states awaits you, with stunning landscapes ranging from lush subtropical forests and vast swamps to centuries-old farmland and coastal areas on the Gulf of Mexico.
Visit one of the historic plantations such as Laura Plantation or Oak Alley with its lavishly restored mansions and immerse yourself in the past and let the magic of the ancient South cast its spell on you. Also a Mississippi trip with a paddle steamer is a unique experience. Nature lovers will find attractive hiking trails in Louisiana and can explore the fascinating world of Bayou marshlands in the estuary delta of the Mississippi.
