BATON ROUGE, LA – A new survey released this week found that despite the existence of GPS technology, smartphone navigation, and clearly marked street signs, 90% of Baton Rouge residents still give directions with the phrase, “When you pass Fleur de Lis.”
Researchers found the restaurant remains one of the city’s most frequently referenced landmarks, ranking ahead of major roads and highways.
“We asked participants how to get to a business in mid city,” said one researcher. “Not a single person gave a street-by-street explanation. Every response somehow involved Fleur de Lis Pizza.”
The survey found many residents are unable to explain where certain streets actually are but can instantly identify their location relative to Fleur de Lis.
“Go down Government until you pass Fleur de Lis, then keep going a little bit,” explained one lifelong resident. “I don’t know the street names after that, but you’ll see it.”
Researchers also discovered that many younger residents who rely exclusively on GPS have begun incorporating the restaurant into directions simply because their parents did.
The study concluded that while navigation technology will continue to evolve, Baton Rouge’s preferred directional system remains a combination of local landmarks, vague hand gestures, and Fleur de Lis Pizza.
