Old Ursuline Convent New Orleans French Quarter

The Old Ursuline Convent
1100 Chartres
New Orleans French Quarter
Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
504-525-9585
www.stlouiscathedral.org
Admission - about $5

By Jane Feehan

There are a few reasons to visit the Old Ursuline Convent, which is located about two blocks from St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

One is that it’s the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. The convent was designed in 1745 and built 1752-53 to house the Ursuline Nuns who, in 1727, came with the first wave of French settlers. Since then it has served as a convent, school, an archbishop’s residence and a meeting place for the Louisiana legislature. It’s steeped in Catholic heritage and local history and holds a few historic and religious items of interest.

Another other reason to visit this beautiful setting is to view a scale (1:87) model of the French Quarter as it was around 1915. Placed in what was once an orphans’ dormitory, the model was built in France beginning in 1956 as a tribute to the cradle of jazz. It provides a great bird’s eye view of the layout of the French Quarter. Not much has changed over the years; it’s a wonderful aid in learning one’s way about the Quarter.

A visit here is a bargain at $5. It’s low key, peaceful and interesting – quietly juxtaposed to the flamboyance of New Orleans. Self-guided tours. © 2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

Aunt Sally's Pralines - New Orleans French Quarter

Aunt Sally’s Pralines
Original Creole Pralines
2831 Chartres Street
New Orleans, LA 70117
1-800-642-7257
www.auntsallys.com

By Jane Feehan

So you’ve visited the French Quarter, seen the sights, had a few memorable meals, and don’t want to leave without bringing home a little bit of New Orleans. A visit to Aunt Sally’s, home of the “Original Creole Pralines” may be in order.

How’s this for a selection of treats: Triple Chocolate, Bananas Foster, Café Au Lait or Sugar & Spice (Tabasco® Flavored) pralines. Aunt Sally’s cooks up these sugary delights daily. Speaking of sugar, there’s even “lite” pralines with 85 percent less sugar for those trying to minimize damage to the waistline.

This New Orleans confectionary, first opened in the 1930s, also sells an array of gifts, including cookbooks, mugs, pecans, cocktail mixes, syrups and gift baskets. If you don’t want to carry your purchases home, order through Aunt Sally’s toll free number or Web site.

Aunt Sally's is a short walk from Café Du Monde, and not far from the French Market. Lots of samples ... ©2010 All rights reserved.

Esteli Cigar Shop - New Orleans French Quarter

Esteli Cigar Shop
515 St. Louis Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-561-6078
Fax – 504-561-6029
E-Mail: estelicigarshop@att.net

By Jane Feehan

As I left Johnny’s Po-Boys, the strains of Latin music drew me to the establishment next door – the Esteli Cigar Shop. I don’t know much about cigars except that I prefer the aroma of a cigar over a cigarette.

Traditional cigar shops – not the fancy joints catering to pretentious cigar aficionados – are a common sight in Miami’s Little Havana near where I grew up. So, when I heard the music and saw tobacco hanging from the ceiling in Esteli, I was compelled to stop in.

Esteli Owner Sergio Cabrera, originally from Nicaragua, sells a variety of
cigars from Central America, including the rarest cigar made by Padron, the Anniversary 1926.

If you’re a cigar smoker or are in the market for a gift, stop at Esteli to pick up some cigars and experience a little bit of Central America; Sergio Cabrera is there to assist. © 2010 All rights reserved