A stroll through Faubourg St. Mary

Of course you knew that Friends of the Cabildo offers popular two-hour walking tours of the Vieux Carre (twice daily Tuesdays through Sundays). Now the organization moves upriver with a special tour of Faubourg St. Mary.

If that particular faubourg doesn’t ring any bells, it’s probably because you know the area better as the Central Business District (CBD). Originally part of the Belair plantation of city founder Bienville, the land granted to him in 1719 extended to the present-day Jefferson Parish line. The plantation house was in the square bounded today by Common, Magazine, Gravier, and Tchoupitoulas streets. In 1726 the Jesuits acquired the lower portion of Bienville’s plantation (below Felicity Street,) on which they constructed a plantation house in 1728.

Learn the rest of the story of the historic neighborhood on Saturday, Aug. 10, at the FOC’s Special Walking Tour of Faubourg St. Mary. The tour will begin at 9 AM at the World War II Museum, and return there at 11:30. Put on your best walking shoes, take a bottle of water and a good camera to snap museums, Lee Circle, St. Charles Avenue to Lafayette Square and Poydras, Camp and Julia streets.

Space is extremely limited and reservations are required. Call the FOC office, 504-523-3939, to reserve a spot. The cost is $30 ($20 for Friends of the Cabildo members).