Did you know there’s a Bourbon Street somewhere in the world?

Welcome to a brand-new Did you know? This week we’re talking about nothing else than bourbon. Did you know there’s a place in the world with a street called Bourbon Street?

When you hear “bourbon,” you probably think of the American spirit that must be made from at least 50 percent corn. That makes perfect sense. So you might also assume Bourbon Street was named after the drink. The only thing is: it wasn’t, but there is an actual link to the drink.

You’ll find Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana, one of the most famous streets in the United States. While the name now evokes a certain drink, it was actually named after the House of Bourbon. In Dutch: Huis van Bourbon. This was one of the most influential families in French history.

The Bourbon dynasty emerged around the Middle Ages and became truly significant in the 16th century. The family name itself comes from Bourbon l'Archambault, a castle.

The Bourbons ruled in several parts of Europe and also over “New France,” the colonial territory in North America that stretched from Canada down to Louisiana. Many place names reflect this influence. Louisiana, for example, is named after Louis XIV.

With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Bourbon Street exists, named after the French royal family.

While alcohol wasn’t part of the original story, today the association is unmistakable. The street is now famous for its vibrant nightlife and live music.

Packed with nightclubs, shops, and bars, it’s a major tourist magnet. You can sip all kinds of bourbons there, neat or in cocktails.

So these days the street lives up to its name, even if the history tells a different story.

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