Gretna is the second-largest city in, and the parish seat of, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. Gretna lies on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just east and across the river from uptown New Orleans. Much of Gretna historic history is reflected in the shotgun homes and creole cottages. Living in Gretna offers residents a dense suburban feel and a laid back small-town feeling. In Gretna, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.