New Orleans for The Slow Weekenders: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

Sit on a bench by the iron fence and watch the painters, the cathedral bells and the street musicians; the oldest corner of the city.

Fifty minutes on a wooden bench in an unamplified room, a trumpet and a clarinet and a very old tune; the early set leaves time for dinner.

Dinner in a creole cottage on Dauphine Street with a candlelit courtyard, a block from the Bourbon Street noise; a calm table and a slow dinner.

A treatment room in the former Maison Blanche department store, with a steam room and a quiet lounge; book a massage in advance.

The turquoise-and-white landmark since 1893; the prix fixe lunch with turtle soup and bread pudding soufflé is a leisurely two hours.

Walk it slowly, past the Greek Revival mansions and iron galleries, and sit on a bench under a live oak.

The pink house on Royal Street where bananas Foster was invented; the Sunday brunch is a long, courtyard-side affair.

A grand Beaux-Arts museum in City Park, with a fine French and African collection; an easy afternoon.

Sculptures between the oaks and lagoons, with benches and water; free, and open until late afternoon.

Three hot beignets and a café au lait since 1862; sit under the awning with the paper and take your time.

A bench on the river wall with the Mississippi sliding past; the steamboat calliope may play.

The home of the muffuletta since 1906: a half sandwich of salami, ham and olive salad is enough for two.