French Market
The French Market () is a market and series of commercial buildings spanning six blocks in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Founded as a Native American trading post predating European colonization, the market is the oldest of its kind in the United States. It began where Café du Monde currently stands and has been rebuilt and renovated a number of times. The market is included on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail. Amenities and events 
Individual vendors purveyed many different fresh foods, including raw seafood, through the mid-20th century. The cafés and bars offer New Orleans crawfish and other seafood, Cajun food, Creole cooking, desserts, fruits, vegetables, and more. The French Market is also known for hosting some annual events including the French Quarter Festival and the French Market Creole Tomato Festival. The flea market is especially busy on weekends. Free musical events are often given in the French Market. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park office and visitor center is in the French Market. History 
Part of the space has been dedicated as a market since 1791 in the colonial period, but the oldest extant structures date to about 1813. Renovations and rebuilding 
Major renovations were done by the Works Progress Administration in the 1930s. Rebuilding and renovations have continued into the 21st century. Much of the area formerly housing arcades of roofed but wall-less merchant stands now houses shops and restaurants separated by doors and walls, catering to the tourism industry. Name 
The original market, called "the Meat Shops" or "Meat Market," was the only place within the French Quarter that could sell meat. Only after meat was being sold elsewhere did the name change to the "French Market." Location 
The French Market stretches just inland from the Mississippi River in the section of the French Quarter downriver from Jackson Square, from the Café du Monde at the upriver end, to the flea market stalls across from the New Orleans Mint building. Gallery

See also
Café du Monde
Jackson Square

References

External links
 Official website FrenchMarket.org
 Notes and inventory of French Market records at New Orleans Public Library
 French Market on FrenchQuarter.com

French Quarter
Shopping districts and streets in the United States
Louisiana African American Heritage Trail
Works Progress Administration in Louisiana
Buildings and structures in New Orleans
Tourist attractions in New Orleans