Why the Eiffel Tower when talking about New Orleans? Because you can't talk about New Orleans without talking about France, and particularly Paris. Let's dive into the some fascinating tales of the rich New Orleans history.
New Orleans History Lesson #1 with Dr. Jeanne. (I'm going to take the tour guiding license exam on 8/30 so I'm brushing up on my New Orleans history.) Let's learn about the Baroness de Pontalba. Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba was the daughter of Don Andres de Almonester y Rojas, he who was the financier of the St. Louis Cathedral after the church burned down in the fire of 1788. He died when she was 2 1/2 years old, leaving her very wealthy. She ended up in an arranged marriage with a loser (my word) who, conspiring with his father, wanted to take control of her fortune. She said no, a fight ensued, and her father-in-law tried to shoot her. She took 4 shots to the chest, losing some of her fingers on her left hand trying to protect herself. She stumbled out of her bedroom, and collapsed at the bottom of the stairs. Dear FIL thought she was dead and went into his study and became a footnote in history via his pistol. She, however, returned to New Orleans and used her fortune to build the Pontalba Apartments and improve Jackson Square. She returned to France where she died, and is buried in a tomb at Mont l'Évêque. Amazing woman who shaped the history and architecture of New Orleans.
Pontalba Buildings (Apartments) which surround Jackson Square.