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New Orleans Bus Tours: Tremé

Cajun Encounters

Dec 2, 2020

Originally known as the “back of town”, Tremé New Orleans is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Tremé, often referred to as Faubourg Tremé, is an important focal point in African-American and Creole culture, housing jazz clubs and soul food spots. It is considered a place where heritage is celebrated and honored every day.

Tremé began as a plantation in the 1700s. By 1810, its owner, Claude Tremé, subdivided this land and sold it to the City of New Orleans, allowing several free people of color and those of European descent to claim this land as their home.

The city designated a portion of the land as a place for residents to gather, play music, and sell goods. This place of cultural incubation later gained the name Congo Square. Tremé is home to some historically rich Creole architecture. These vibrant colored cottages date back as early as the 1830s, the townhouses were built soon after in the 1840s, and the more recent shotgun houses were formed in the 1890s.

Not only the home of historic housing, Tremé features two well-known green spaces. Louis Armstrong Park sits on 32 acres and features the statues of several musical icons, including its namesake Louis Armstrong and Mardi Gras Indian Big Chief Montana. It is in Louis Armstrong Park that visitors can find the original site of the famous Congo Square. A 2.6-mile bicycle and walking trail by the name of Lafitte Greenway can also be found in Tremé featuring over 500 trees as well as several open fields.

A bridge crossing over a canal in Louis Armstrong Park

Statue of jazz musicians in Louis Armstrong Park

Image credits: neworleans.com

Unfortunately, Tremé suffered from damage during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but like most neighborhoods in New Orleans, it refused to admit defeat. Tremé and other older neighborhoods showcased that their strength lies in their infrastructure and higher ground levels. Day by day, it returns to its original beauty and popularity, becoming an example of survival. Today, Tremé spans roughly 150 square blocks and an estimated 4,155 individuals live there.

The St. Augustine Church in Tremé, found in 1841 by free people of color, is one of the oldest African-American Catholic parishes in the nation. This church was designed by J.N.B de Pouilly, who had to opportunity to assist with the rebuilding and expansion of the famous St. Louis Cathedral located in the well-known French Quarter. It features The Tomb of the Unknown Slave, a monument for the many nameless or forgotten slaves that passed away before emancipation.

The interior design featured inside St. Augustine can be considered one of its most historically notable features. The pew date back to the mid-nineteenth century, and the main altar is centuries-old and made of pink Italian marble. Above the altar, a skylight in the shape of the “eye of God” Egyptian symbol can be found. The ten stained glass windows seen within the church were imported from France and feature five male saints and five female saints respectively. While the church does feature electronic bells, St. Augustine also houses three bells that were cast in 1883 and purchased in 1894.

While exploring Tremé, visitors can stop by The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History, and Culture (NOAAM). This museum was founded in 1996 and is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting of African-Americans in New Orleans through education, art, and communities. Visitors can observe traditional African collections, including beadwork, costumes, masks, and textiles. While the museum does feature permanent exhibits, other exhibits are subject to change regularly.

Guests also have the option of visiting the five restored buildings. One of those buildings includes the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House, a popular example of Creole architecture. While the museum’s main operation is located in the administrative building, NOAAM hopes to eventually reopen the whole historic campus.

Experience first-hand what keeps not only tourists but also locals continuously coming back to Tremé. Immerse yourself in the sound and breathtaking views that make New Orleans culture so unique. Cajun Encounters is dedicated to showing enthusiastic guests the best of what New Orleans has to offer from the comfort of our thermoregulated buses. Guests can learn more about the City of New Orleans, including Tremé, from certified tour guides, ensuring historically accurate and educational information with an entertaining twist.

Cajun Encounters offers New Orleans bus tours at three different times of the day. The morning tour includes daily pick-ups at 8:30 am and offers guests a look into the historic city, including the experience of coffee and beignets for breakfast. The mid-day tour begins at 11:15 am daily and offers a complete city tour, including a drive through the 9th ward. The afternoon tour begins daily pick-ups at 2:30 pm and offers a full city tour, lasting for two and a half hours.

Guests can travel down New Orleans’ most well-known neighborhoods, including Tremé and the Garden District, while seeing famous attractions like Café Du Monde, the St. Louis Cathedral and Cemetery No. 1, and the World War II Museum. Those hoping to learn more about the crescent city can view the famous St. Charles Avenue Street Cars, beautiful Antebellum Mansions, and the mighty Mississippi River. Routes include stops that allow guests to have a closer look at certain locations.

To ensure guests’ safety during these trying times, tour sizes are limited and tour times are reduced to allow for proper disinfection between tours. High-touch surfaces, such as seats and railings, are sanitized multiple times per day. Hand sanitizer is provided on location, and masks are worn by each staff member and are available for guests who wish to wear one.