Approximately 40 minutes south of New Orleans lies Barataria Preserve which is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve (most refer to Barataria Preserve as the "Jean Lafitte Swamp" or just "Jean Lafitte"). Although the Jean Lafitte Swamp encompasses approximately 23,000 acres, one of the things it is most famous for are the giant blue irises which bloom each spring.