FRENCH QUARTER COURTYARD TOURS

Since 1946, The Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré has sponsored Caroling in Jackson Square. One of the French Quarter events held to fund that sponsorship is the Secret Gardens of the Vieux Carré, when Patio Planters opens magnificent courtyards of the French Quarter for a special weekend tour October 16th and 17th (12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day). This highly anticipated event offers the allure of private and historic gardens otherwise closed to the public. The self-guided walking tour reveals how garden designers take advantage of small spaces, and provides access to the cool and private hideaways suited to the Louisiana climate in styles of the early Spanish and French architecture. Individual tickets are $20.00 each per day (children under 12 free), and will be available for purchase at Creole Delicacies, 533 St. Ann Street (at Jackson Square), and at French Quarter Gem & Lapidary, 527 St. Philip Street (near Decatur). For more information, visit www.patioplanters.org