Algiers Point

New Orleans' Best-Kept Secret

A small gem of a community set at the point where the Mississippi River bends sharply opposite the French Quarter, Algiers Point feels like a small river town, and faces the whole panorama of New Orleans, from the 18th-century St. Louis Cathedral to the more recently constructed skyscrapers of the Central Business District. Algiers offers beautiful, intact Creole cottages and gorgeous double shotguns painted every color of the rainbow. The nearby sparkling ferry terminal and Mississippi River Bridge offer commuters a quick ride into the city, whether going for work or play.

Algiers Point distinguished itself from Algiers in the 1970s. At that time, a community movement began to emphasize the historic and aesthetic aspects of the neighborhood's houses and other assets, in contrast with other sections of Algiers, especially newer, post-World War II residential areas.

The size and boundaries of the neighborhood depend on colloquial or legal context, but a conservative description paints Algiers Point as approximately 50 city blocks bounded by Opelousas Avenue, Atlantic Avenue and the river. The Algiers Point National Historic District is bounded on the south by Slidell Avenue instead of Opelousas Avenue. The southern boundary of the city-regulated Algiers Point Historic District, as defined by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission, is Newton Street.

Some of the houses and other structures in Algiers Point predate the American Civil War, but most were built in the period immediately after a catastrophic 1895 fire that destroyed hundreds of structures in the area. Now, numerous small businesses such as bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and professional services are located here, creating a mixed-use neighborhood.

Some of Algiers Point's homes suffered wind damage due to Katrina, but since the West Bank was spared any flooding, Algiers is back and brighter than ever. In fact, this is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in New Orleans, where residents can find safety and convenience, as well as beauty and charm at their front doors. Whether you savor a long walk on the levee or enjoy a close-knit community of caring neighbors, Algiers will never fail to beguile and surprise you. And you'll say what so many Algiers residents have said before: "When you live in the Point, you have it all!"