Tour the vestiges of French Detroit, an American City, that began as a French colonial outpost. It was founded as Fort Pontchartrain and as a trading post in 1701. It remained an outpost of the French Empire through 1760, when it became a part of the British Empire. It remained British until 1795, when it became American. Throughout those changes, Detroit retained its French identity and remained a French speaking city into the 1840's. Most of that French history is lost, forgotten, and seldom taught in history books. On this tour you will learn of the preservation efforts of what remains of the cultural heritage of French Detroit. This tour brings that history to life. After you download this tour, you can listen to the narration in the comfort of your home or hotel room. You can then decide if you want to visit all of the places in one day, or to focus on a few. Once you are close to each of the points of interest, the SmartGuide app will alert you and begin to play the narrative.

Starting from the historical atmosphere of Greenfield Village, we seemed to travel back to the 19th century and feel the charm of that era. The precious artworks of the Detroit Institute of Arts made us linger, and each painting told a unique story. The magnificent architecture and gorgeous decoration of the Fisher Building made us marvel at the architectural art of Detroit. The Henry Ford Museum showcases the brilliant achievements of American industry, where innovation and history are intertwined. Finally, the tranquil greenery of Belle Isle provides a perfect place to relax, and we enjoy the tranquility of nature by the lake. Recommended route:Detroit Institute of Arts—Fisher Building—Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation—Belle Isle