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São Luis seen by Jean-Paul Delfino

Brazil Sao Luis, view of the bay and the ocean from the colonial historical centerWhen you start exploring São Luis, what you will mainly discover is a very specific side of Brazil that has nothing to do with your traditional postcards. Here, in this city, founded in 1612 by the French Knight Daniel De Latouche, Lord of the Ravardière, everything is like an invitation to a walk, to imagination, but also to the excitement of discovering, with every step, traces of colonial Brazil.

Inside the historical part of the city, low buildings, with façades, often adorned with azulejos – white and blue ceramic tiles that have contributed to the fame of Portugal – that hide behind pastel walls and heavy wooden doors, real miniature palaces. Museums and churches, perfectly preserved, tell us the story of the São Luis of yore: of the Indians, of the Portuguese settlers, but also of the slaves from Africa who have contributed to the magnificence of São Luis, at a time when not only cotton but also sugar cane, cacao and tobacco were the pride of the local Lords.

Sao Luis, Brazil, facade in the historical centerLed by our guides, you will penetrate a lot further than just into historical sites: you will have the privilege of discovering the History of Brazil. Sometimes called the Brazilian Athens but also the Brazilian Jamaïca, the capital of the Maranhao state will captivate you with its famous cultural sites that seem to be waiting to tell you their story: The Artur Azevedo theatre, the Casa Mercedes, the Palacio dos Leoes, the Cathedral or the Ravardiere Palace, such sites are innumerable and each one of them will sing its own incomparable little tune.

Far from the large noisy avenues and the smell of exhaust fumes, let yourself be tempted by some unique strolling routes, explorations with not only testimonies of the past, but also of an agitated night life, with music, dancing, typical and unique local gastronomy. Even after you have left São Luis do Maranhao, you will remember the heartbeats of the city, which will remind you that, four centuries ago, the French founded an exceptional city that has managed to resist the erosion of time…

Written by : © Jean-Paul Delfino (This text is subject to copyrights protection in accordance with existing laws)

Our description of São Luis is on this web page​ : https://terra-nordeste.com/en/destination/sao-luis-alcantara-en/

Other texts by Jean-Paul Delfino are available here: Travel Diaries - Jean-Paul Delfino

Jean-Paul Delfino is a French writer and screenwriter so passionate about Brazil that he has taken on the writing of a major novel fresco entitled "Suite brésilienne" which covers three centuries of great Brazilian history.

Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Paul_Delfino

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