Navarre

The New Orleans neighborhood of Navarre has charm and history, but one of the most attractive features is its location.

Bordered by major highways and thoroughfares, residents have easy commutes to downtown, the airport and neighboring communities. This enclave also manages to be cozy and walkable, thanks to its trees, sidewalks, quiet streets and neighborhood restaurants.

Once a part of a huge parcel of land acquired during the Spanish rule of New Orleans, Navarre was mostly swampland until it was drained and prepped for development in the early 20th century. While this cottage community is mainly residential, it’s anchored by historic Greenwood Cemetery and the main campus of Delgado Community College.

The Navarre neighborhood is included in the South Lakeview Historic District, and a small section of it is considered part of the Mid-City Historic District. Construction of the neighborhood’s first subdivisions stretched from the 1920s to the late 1940s. The neighborhood is mostly defined by a mix of classic cottages, brick ranch houses and Craftsman bungalows, with some Mediterranean Revival tile-roofed homes lining Canal Boulevard. Rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 brought in some new construction, which is a mix of contemporary, modern and traditional-style homes. The average home is right around 2,000 square feet with a yard and off-street parking. Home prices typically range anywhere from around $300,000 to $800,000.

Although Navarre is mainly a residential district, it contains several neighborhood restaurants and cafes, grocery and drug stores, dry cleaners, and access to city bus and streetcar services. Its largest and most visible landmark is Greenwood Cemetery, dating back to 1852. Like New Orleans’ other iconic above-ground cemeteries, it’s adorned with stunning monuments, mausoleums and memorials. Delgado Community College is situated on the southeastern corner of the neighborhood. The campus includes the local PBS affiliate’s studio, a 1,000-seat baseball park and Delgado Playground, which features athletic fields and basketball courts.

Navarre residents live within walking or biking distance of some of the most iconic attractions and the biggest events in New Orleans. City Park hosts festivals, concert series and annual holiday events. Plus, its miles of walking and biking paths, museums, gardens and an amusement park provide indoor and outdoor activities. While most Mardi Gras parades roll through Uptown, the Krewe of Endymion kicks off its illuminated night parade right on the edge of Navarre, giving residents a front row seat. New Orlean’s internationally acclaimed Jazz and Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest, takes place a few miles away.

One of the Navarre neighborhood’s best features is its location next door to New Orleans’ historic City Park. The 1,300-acre recreation area hosts concerts, festivals, and holiday events. The park also provides playgrounds, picnic areas, scenic bayous and miles of paths amid the world’s largest grove of mature live oak trees. Other highlights include an amusement park, art and children’s museums, bike and boat rentals, miniature and full-sized golf courses, and botanical and sculpture gardens.

Because of its relatively small size, residents must travel outside the Navarre neighborhood for a child's education. Most nearby schools are private, magnet or charter schools. Some of these top-rated public schools include Benjamin Franklin High School, Lusher Charter School, Belle Chasse Academy and Edward Hynes Charter School. Among the local private schools are Lakeview Presbyterian Preschool, Christian Brothers School, St. Francis Xavier School, Jesuit High School and Cabrini High School. Delgado Community College’s 100-year-old main campus occupies 57 acres on the southeastern portion of the neighborhood. It offers associate degree programs, as well as professional and workforce development, intensive services and continuing education.

The Navarre neighborhood combines quiet, comfortable charm with easy commutes and enviable access to some of New Orleans’ best amenities. Downtown New Orleans is a few minutes away, either via nearby highway, city bus or streetcar. It’s home to the headquarters of some of the city’s largest employers, including Entergy Corporation, Ochsner Health System, Tulane University, Whitney Holding Corporation, and Boh Bros Construction. Sidewalks, trees, quiet streets and neighborhood restaurants make Navarre a cozy, walkable area.

The Navarre neighborhood’s boundaries are interstates and major thoroughfares that make commuting easy for its residents. Interstate 10 to the west can take commuters downtown to Armstrong International Airport.

Photography Contributed By

Aaron Bloodworth

Video By

Nathan Allen