There’s no doubt that New Orleans is full of an eclectic assortment of qualities that adds to its unique charm. Every year, millions of tourists visit the city to try the fabulous cuisine, experience the incredible architecture, and soak in the rich and dynamic culture. All of these elements have a few things in common, one of which is a distinctly European flair. This makes sense since the Big Easy is America’s most European city.But why is there so much European influence in New Orleans? It stretches all the way back to before the city’s birth in 1718 when French colonists settled in the area, eventually establishing La Nouvelle-Orleans.New France and the Birth of New OrleansIn the 1660s, the French began the colonization of certain North American territories, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson Bay. This swath of land included what was soon known as the Louisiana Territory, which encompassed what is now multiple US states, including a large section of present-day Louisiana....
