Frommer's Review
Legend has it that the site of the French Market was originally used by Native Americans as a bartering market. It began to grow into an official market in 1812. From around 1840 to 1870, it was part of Gallatin Street, an impossibly rough area so full of bars, drunken sailors, and criminals of every shape and size that it made Bourbon Street look like Disneyland. Today it's a mixed bag, and not nearly as colorful as its past. Still, both sections have been spiffed up with an extensive renovation that was completed in late 2007. The Farmers Market makes a fun amble as you admire everything from fresh produce and fish to more tourist-oriented items like hot sauces and Cajun and Creole mixes. (Here's a tip: Don't buy that stuff here. The mark-ups are absurd. If you have the time, get someone to take you to a proper supermarket, like the Winn-Dixie, and buy it all there.) Snacks like gator on a stick (when was the last time you had that?) will amuse the kids. The Flea Market, a bit farther down from the Farmers Market, is considered a must-shop place, but the reality is that many of the goods are kind of junky: T-shirts, jewelry, hats, purses, toys, sunglasses, and so on. Still, some good deals can be had (even better if you are up for bargaining), so the savvy often find it the right place for souvenir shopping. The flea market is open daily.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
