419 Rue Decatur
New Orleans, LA 70130-1142
(504) 589-3882 ext. 100
Web: http://www.nps.gov/jela/jelaweb.htm

Crawdad gumbo and fiddle music echoing the twists and turns of the bayou: any human culture is enmeshed with the natural environment from which it springs. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve was established to preserve for present and future generations significant examples of the rich natural and cultural resources of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region. The park illustrates the influences that the many cultures have had on this region's history and development. Rather than interpret a single theme, Jean Lafitte encompasses units which interpret many diverse but ultimately related themes: the Battle of New Orleans at Chalmette; the ecology, history and cultural diversity of Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region, and the French Quarter in New Orleans.

The park consists of physically separate units scattered throughout south Louisiana:

Those wanting a real GORP experience will want to head to the Barataria Preserve near Marrero. Barataria interprets the natural and cultural history of the swamp and marshlands of the region through a terrific system of hiking and canoe trails.

The Acadian Unit, with cultural centers in Lafayette, Thibodaux, Eunice, Charenton and Marksville, interprets the Acadian and Native American cultures of the area. Acadian culture of both the wetlands and prarie are interepreted at the center in Lafayette, while the Thibodaux center specializes in the culture of the prarie and Eunice center concentrates on the wetlands.

Six miles southeast of New Orleans is the Chalmette Unit, site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. Near the French Market in the historic French Quarter is the visitor center for the New Orleans Unit. This center interprets the history of New Orleans and Louisiana's Mississippi Delta region.