A must for any visitor to New Orleans is a walk around the famed French Quarter.

The French Quarter, lying to the east of the CBD, is the oldest neighbourhood in the city.

The area was settled by the French in 1718 and named La Nouvelle-Orléans, and with the area developing around the Vieux Carré (“Old Square” in English), a central square.

The district is more commonly called the French Quarter today, or simply “The Quarter,” related to changes in the city with American immigration after the Louisiana Purchase.

Most of the present-day historic buildings were constructed during the late 18th century, during the city’s period of Spanish rule, and reflect Spanish colonial architecture.

The district as a whole has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, with numerous contributing buildings that are separately deemed significant.

It is a prime tourist destination in the city, as well as attracting loyal residents.

And fortunately because of its distance from areas where the levee was breached during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it suffered relatively light damage as compared to other areas of the city and the greater region.

There is a decent size embankment to hold back the mighty Mississippi River and we noticed last night secondary flood control measures featuring a high wall and iron gates that can be closed to shut off the water.

* Thanks to www.wikipedia.com  for the background information.  Click on photographs to open and click again to enlarge.