NewsIdeasBusinessFashionLifestyleBon AppétitCultureEducationLanguageMenuNewsIdeasBusinessFashionLifestyleBon AppétitCultureEducationLanguageIn a testament to North America’s French heritage, many regions, towns, mountains, and rivers in the United States have French names. Every month, French-American author Anthony Lacoudre untangles their fascinating history. This issue takes us to the state capital of Louisiana and the Native American totem that inspired its name.By Anthony Lacoudre/ September 13, 2022[button_code]© Mathieu PersanThe great sailor and explorer Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville reached the Gulf of Mexico in January 1699. He had set out from Brest and was tasked by Louis XIV’s ministry of the navy with mapping the mouth of the Mississippi River and colo- nizing Louisiana, which stretched as far as the Great Lakes at the time. He went on to become the region’s first governor. Throughout three different expeditions, the Norman officer established several forts – including Maur...
