Visitors strolling down Decatur Street toward the French Market are sure to notice the statue of Joan of Arc that rises above the tiny New Place de France Park at the intersection of Decatur and St. Philip Streets. The people of France gifted this golden bronze statue of Joan of Arc riding her horse and carrying a flag to the city of New Orleans. The statue serves as the ending point for the annual Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc parade that strolls through the French Quarter each year on Twelfth Night to honor the Maid of Orleans's birthday.
The Sisters of Ursula established Catholic schools for African-American and Native American girls and set up the first orphanage in Louisiana. The convent is now home to Catholic archives dating back to 1718. It is the oldest building on record in New Orleans and the entire Mississippi Valley. It sits across from another historic site, the Beauregard-Keyes House, and is part of the Archbishop Antoine Blanc Memorial. It is open for self-guided tours.
Located on the boundary of the French Quarter, Saint Louis Cemetery Number One is the oldest cemetery in the city. The above ground burial practices are typical of swampy New Orleans, where early settlers soon discovered that coffins buried in the ground would float to the surface after a hard rain. There are many ornate family tombs and vaults, but visitors to Saint Louis Cemetery Number One must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide or have a special pass issued for persons with loved ones or family members buried in the cemetery.
From the gates of Lafayette Cemetery you can see the lavish above-ground vaults and tombs of the families that once lived in the surrounding Garden District mansions. Mansions that were built by American newcomers when the French Creoles made them unwelcome in the older part of the city. Gates are open during working hours, but it is not advisable to walk about the grounds alone. Guided tours are offered by Save Our Cemeteries.
Royal Street is one of the oldest streets in the city, well known for its businesses that deal in antiques and artwork from all over the world. This impressive street is surrounded by French and Spanish colonial architecture on all sides and emanates a distinct old-worldly look. The shops dotting this street are filled with consumers having an eye for quality, authenticity and detail. The quality of the merchandise is unmatched and sometimes, just talking to the shop owners can be an educative experience. Make this street your next shopping destination for all that is antique and unique.
The New Orleans Holocaust Memorial, situated on the bank of the Mississippi River in Woldenberg Park, stands in honor of the more than six million Jewish victims of the Nazis during the Holocaust. The memorial sculpture consists of nine colorful panels, each painted with a different image. When the sculpture is viewed from different angles around the memorial, the panels appear to come together to create ten distinct images. Israeli artist Yaacov Agam created the memorial sculpture. The New Orleans Holocaust Memorial was dedicated in June 2003.