The Market has existed on the same site since 1791 and is the oldest farmer's market in the country. It began as a Native American trading post on the banks of the Mississippi River. Although founded by the Spanish, it was the market in the French part of New Orleans. Many of the butchers were French, either Creoles or Foreign. It was the only place in the French Quarter where fresh meat could legally be sold. Local residents referred to it as "the Meat Market" and not the French Market. The people of New Orleans Especially enjoyed grocery shopping at the Market.
The French Market was a very diverse place. People of color, Creoles, Native Americans and eve Sicilians, shopped at the Market. Shoppers would have to be prepared to interact with many languages, such as French, Creole patois, African languages, English, Spanish, German, Ita
lian and more. Coastal fisherman would bring oysters, shrimp, crawfish and a wide selection of fish. Sicilian truck farmers from St. Bernard Parish carted crops like creole artichokes, tomatoes, garlic and fava beans. Hunters would bring in everything from raccoons to bears.Many immigrants had stalls at the French Market. Stall rent was low and a number of groceries began as stalls at the Market. The French Market eventually grew and had five main components. There was the Meat Market, the Vegetable Market, the Fruit Market, the Red Stores and the Bazaar Market. Interesting fact to know is that the Bazzar building was designed by one of America's first African-American architects, Joseph Abeilard.
The French Market went through a lot of disaters and changes. It is now newly renovated, including both the farmers market and a fleas market. It hosts annual festivals and events like the Creole Tomato Festival, French Market Christmas Lighting, Harvest Festival and Boo Carre' Halloween. It is home to still a diversity of vendors serving prepared foods as well as fresh produce stands. You can find anything, even T-shirts, at New Orleans' French Market.
