ARE THE FLEA AND FARMERS MARKETS OPEN DAILY?
Yes. Both open air, pavilion markets are open daily. Our Farmers Market with eateries, fresh produce, baked goods, garden décor, and café style seating and the Flea Market, featuring over 200 vendors on an average day are open seven days a week. To confirm holiday hours, contact the Flea Market office directly at 504-596-3420.
Additionally, most of our retail shops and restaurants from the Upper Pontalba to LaTrobe Park are open seven days a week. Visit our “shopping” and “dining” pages on this website for more information.
CAN I RENT THE FRENCH MARKET FOR A SPECIAL EVENT?
Various indoor/outdoor French Market properties are available for weddings, fundraisers, corporate receptions, and private parties. As each event is unique, we request that you fill out an application to begin the process. Download and complete the French Market Event Application then email Marketing Associate John Marc Sharpe at jsharpe@frenchmarket.org. Upon receipt of your completed application, he will contact you to set up an appointment for a site tour.
CAN I, OR MY GROUP, PERFORM AT THE FRENCH MARKET?
Yes, we encourage individuals and groups, large and small, to perform throughout the French Market District.
For one-time large group performances (school bands, church choirs, etc.) at the Washington Artillery Park – Amphitheater (across from Jackson Square), please fill out the French Market One-Time Group Performance Application and email it to John Marc Sharpe at jsharpe@frenchmarket.org. Once the application has been received, you will be contacted to discuss your performance details.
The Ongoing Performer (Busking) Permit allows performances anywhere throughout the French Market District on a regular first come first serve basis. Performers must download and fill out the French Market Ongoing Performer (Busking) Application and then email it to Ryan Kanter at rkanter@frenchmarket.org. Once the application has been received a walk-through of performance locations can be scheduled on Tuesdays/Thursdays and the permit will be provided.
CAN I SCHEDULE USE OF THE FRENCH MARKET FARE STAGE FOR A COOKING DEMO OR PRESENTATION?
Yes. Our new French Market Fare Stage is the perfect place to demonstrate a wide range of things. We offer use of a professional cooking demonstration table and can provide audio/speaker set up. Fill out the French Market Fare Stage Request Form then email it to John Marc Sharpe jsharpe@frenchmarket.org. Once the application has been received a demonstration can be scheduled.
HOW DO I GET PERMISSION TO FILM AT THE FRENCH MARKET?
The French Market is a hot spot for television, movie, and documentary filmmaking. We request that production companies allot at least 30 days notice for any of the above, as most projects first require City of New Orleans permission BEFORE the French Market Corporation can offer our properties for filming. Download and complete the French Market Filming Guidelines and Permit Application and email it to John Marc Sharpe at jsharpe@frenchmarket.org Upon receipt of your completed application, he will contact you to discuss your project.
****Please note—the French Market Corporation works hand in hand with the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy regarding film and special event permitting. We cannot solely give permission for certain special event and film projects, depending on timeframe, scope, and community impact.****
CAN MY TOUR GROUP UNLOAD AT THE FRENCH MARKET?
Tour busses are welcome to drop passengers off between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. alongside the Market, on North Peters Street, just before Barracks. After unloading, busses can park nearby at a French Market parking lot on Elysian Fields, approximately two blocks away. There is room for up to 2 tour busses at a time with a 15 minute maximum unloading and loading period.
Visitors will appreciate being in an area that has more foot traffic and less vehicular traffic, and allows for indoor/outdoor entertainment, from photography exhibits and musical offerings at the Old U.S. Mint to al fresco dining and bargain shopping at the Flea Market, as well as easy access to shops and cafes on Decatur Street, Frenchmen Street, and Chartres Street.
If you have questions about the unloading area please call the Flea Market office at 504-596-3420. If you have questions about parking, call Standard Parking at 504.599.5658.
IS THE FRENCH MARKET A NON-PROFIT?
The French Market is a public benefits corporation, which means that a share of our revenues are returned to the City of New Orleans each year. It also means we are the landlords for six blocks of real estate, from the Upper Pontalba apartments and retail shops on Jackson Square to the Flea Market between Governor Nicholls and Barracks Streets, and including the shops and restaurants on Decatur Street in between.
WHAT PROPERTIES ARE INCLUDED IN THE FRENCH MARKET DISTRICT?
The French Market District encompasses six blocks from the Upper Pontalba on Jackson Square to the Flea Market on Barracks and N. Peters Street. Included in these blocks are: Washington Artillery Park (across from Jackson Square), all the riverside retail stores and restaurants on Decatur Street from Café du Monde at 800 Decatur Street to the Gazebo Café at 1016 Decatur Street. Dutch Alley, LaTrobe Park, New Place de France, and the Farmers and Flea Markets make up the rest of our properties. Recently, we adopted the Bienville Park at Conti and Decatur Streets and oversee the maintenance and upkeep of this park and statue. We also operate three parking lots: along the river, off Esplanade, and off Elysian Fields.
HOW CAN I SELL AT THE FRENCH MARKET?
The French Market operates retail “brick and mortar” shops that occasionally become available. If so, they would be posted on our “Public Notices” page on our website. On a regular basis there are openings to vend at the Flea Market and Farmers Market. To apply to be a flea market or farmers market vendor, contact the Market Manager at 504-596-3420 or visit the “Flea Market” page on our website.