Overview

New Orleans is often known for it’s ostentatious French culture, so it is often asked how the American’s assimilated to create the melting pot of cultures we experience today, SPOILER ALERT, not very well. This funny endearing story of two cultures at odds with each other paints a new appreciation for all our ancestors and demonstrates an observational shift in reactions to outdo their French counterparts in all ways through the change in architecture and way of business. These shifts eventually lead to one of the most magnificent, yet foreign feeling, antebellum neighborhoods in the United States. Creating a web of intriguing stories of heroes and characters that not only shaped life in New Orleans but contributed world wide.

What to Expect

The Tale of Two Cities bike tour embarks from Flambeaux Bicycle Tours location (626 North Rampart St. in the French Quarter). Upon arrival you will fill out a waiver and be fitted on a bicycle to make sure your comfortable on the tour. After a short safety briefing you will embark on a 3 hour excursion from the French Quarter, the Central Business District, the Garden District, the Warehouse District and back.  

From our shop on the edge of the French Quarter, you will venture to the division line between two different worlds separated only by 168 feet. Pedaling through some of the most innovative locations in the city you will learn about one of the most important cultural contributions the American people made in history. Along the way you will take in our sky reaching buildings, the smell of world class cuisine wafting through the air of the warehouse district, and see one of a kind street art.

You will gain an appreciation of the contributions people from various cultures made that would turn the swamp into a thriving cultural community. See sprawling mansions of some of the most interesting celebrities of time, past and present. With given context you will have an appreciation of the contributions and stories history has given us. New Orleans may be known for it’s distinct Creole culture, but this tour will show you the truly foreign part of our city.

Your tour will come with a bottled water, an optional helmet, and a guaranteed good time!

Places you will visit:

• The French Quarter

• The Neutral Ground

• Central Business District

• The Perdido-Rampart Corridor

• The Garden District

• Lafayette Cemetery #1 (Lafayette Cemetery is closed for repair until further notice).

• Warehouse District

• Lafayette Square

Important Details:

• In order for our tours to operate an initial minimum of 2 people must book. Once the minimum is met our software allows for single riders to reserve.

• Advanced Reservations are Required.

• To go on the tour one must be over 13 years of age and taller then 4'11".

• Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

• Tours are limited to10 people. (If you have a larger group contact us and we will arrange a tour for you).

• The tour is $50 per person and includes a bicycle, helmet, and bottled water.

• The tour is a total of 8 miles traveled at a leisurely pace.

• 48 hour notice of cancellation is required.

• Please arrive for the tour no later, nor sooner than 15 minutes before departure time.

• Tours roll rain or shine.

• Wearing flip flops/slippers while riding a bicycle is hazardous and not allowed on our tours..

• In the event of inclement weather before the tour, participants can either reschedule or be refunded. We do not offer refunds once the tour embarks.

• We break at a coffee house. Please take note that many New Orleans establishments are cash only…some are card only.

• If you are driving, street parking in the French Quarter is 2 hours max. You can download the app as instructed on the parking meter and pay again when the 2 hours is over. The best rates on parking in the French Quarter is the Basin Lot. The rate ranges from $5-$10 for 10 hours when there’s no festivals going on. Please allot extra time to park, our tours depart at the time indicated on your booking.