PART 1 - The Heart of the city In 1682, the French laid claim to a huge chunk of North America and named it "La Louisiane' in honor of young Louis XV. Nearly two decades later, the French founded New Orleans for its prime position on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. As the thriving capital of New France, King Louis XV passed New Orleans to his Spanish cousin Charles Ill in 1762, primarily to keep the city out of the hands of the British. The Spaniards ruled New Orleans for four turmoil-filled decades, and after the French Revolution, Napoleon sold it all to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Although New Orleans has become one of America's greatest cities, its soul is still uniquely French. The fleur de lys was the emblem of French kings since the 12th century, and now it's synonymous with Louisiana. The symbol adorns everything from the New Orleans city flag to the Saints' football helmets. Indeed, New Orleans is steeped in French history. Although known as the French Quarter or Vieux Carré, the oldest part of New Orleans was built primarily during Spanish rule. However, the Quarter's street names are nods to France. Bourbon, Dauphine, Chartres, Burgundy, and Orleans are just a few that harken back to French nobility. Despite which country was officially in charge when the French Quarter was developed, the architecture is a blend of French, Spanish, Creole, and even The French Quarter in New Orleans (2019) American influences. Intricate iron balconies, reminiscent of Haussmann's Paris, appeared on New Orleans' buildings after the mid-1800s when Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba, added them to her row of apartments on Jackson Square, which are the oldest apartments in the country. (...) Once known as Place d'Armes, Jackson Square dates to 1721 when it was a trading post and parade ground for the French military. The square was originally modeled after Paris's oldest square-Place des Vosges. Once the location of public executions, Jackson Square is now home to musicians, artists, fortune tellers, tourists, and locals. Jackson Square is saturated in French history and is the quintessential postcard of the city. Over the last 3.5 centuries, New Orleans has morphed from France's American colony to standing on its own as one of the world's best cities. This former swampland has survived colonialism, slavery, the Civil War, fires, and hurricanes. It's given birth to jazz and inspired a legion of authors and artists. Where to find French history in New Orleans, Leah Walker (2017) Look at the image. Would you like to visit New Orleans? ustify your answer. Read the text carefully and present the three facts that struck you the most. ex: What I found the most surprising is that... Read the text again. n pairs, pick out elements that show the French influence in the city. Create a timeline of the city of New Orleans. Choose pictures to illustrate it. Look for information about these places: Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, Tremé, Garden District. You will give a short oral presentation to your class.

PART 1 - The Heart of the city In 1682, the French laid claim to a huge chunk of North America and named it "La Louisiane' in honor of young Louis XV. Nearly two decades later, the French founded New Orleans for its prime position on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. As the thriving capital of New France, King Louis XV passed New Orleans to his Spanish cousin Charles Ill in 1762, primarily to keep the city out of the hands of the British. The Spaniards ruled New Orleans for four turmoil-filled decades, and after the French Revolution, Napoleon sold it all to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Although New Orleans has become one of America's greatest cities, its soul is still uniquely French. The fleur de lys was the emblem of French kings since the 12th century, and now it's synonymous with Louisiana. The symbol adorns everything from the New Orleans city flag to the Saints' football helmets. Indeed, New Orleans is steeped in French history. Although known as the French Quarter or Vieux Carré, the oldest part of New Orleans was built primarily during Spanish rule. However, the Quarter's street names are nods to France. Bourbon, Dauphine, Chartres, Burgundy, and Orleans are just a few that harken back to French nobility. Despite which country was officially in charge when the French Quarter was developed, the architecture is a blend of French, Spanish, Creole, and even The French Quarter in New Orleans (2019) American influences. Intricate iron balconies, reminiscent of Haussmann's Paris, appeared on New Orleans' buildings after the mid-1800s when Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba, added them to her row of apartments on Jackson Square, which are the oldest apartments in the country. (...) Once known as Place d'Armes, Jackson Square dates to 1721 when it was a trading post and parade ground for the French military. The square was originally modeled after Paris's oldest square-Place des Vosges. Once the location of public executions, Jackson Square is now home to musicians, artists, fortune tellers, tourists, and locals. Jackson Square is saturated in French history and is the quintessential postcard of the city. Over the last 3.5 centuries, New Orleans has morphed from France's American colony to standing on its own as one of the world's best cities. This former swampland has survived colonialism, slavery, the Civil War, fires, and hurricanes. It's given birth to jazz and inspired a legion of authors and artists. Where to find French history in New Orleans, Leah Walker (2017) Look at the image. Would you like to visit New Orleans? ustify your answer. Read the text carefully and present the three facts that struck you the most. ex: What I found the most surprising is that... Read the text again. n pairs, pick out elements that show the French influence in the city. Create a timeline of the city of New Orleans. Choose pictures to illustrate it. Look for information about these places: Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, Tremé, Garden District. You will give a short oral presentation to your class.