Tuesday 7 August 2007

Napoleon House


If you're ever looking for a place that has the feeling of the real New Orleans driven into every corner, every window pane, every floorboard – Napoleon House is it.

In the heart of the French Quarter, it's a wonderful, historical retreat from the Bourbon Street masses. The building's first occupant, Nicholas Girod, was mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815. He offered his home to Napoleon Bonaparte in 1821 as a refuge during his exile.

Napoleon never made it, but the name stuck, and since then, the Napoleon House has been a haunt for artists and writers throughout most of the 20th century. Step inside and you'll feel like waxing lyrical too.

John came down to visit from Dallas and after searching fruitlessly for a place serving lunch at 3pm, we were thrilled to find Napoleon House. We lived in New Orleans for four years and I'd never been there (for shame!) but apparently Nathan used to hang out at Napoleon House a lot. Incredible real New Orleans food, amazing atmosphere and (cue choir of angels) – Pimm's. Ahhhh.

4 comments:

  1. thank you so much for visiting my blog and your kind comment! I've wanted to visit New Orleans forever but the hurricane kind of put a crimp in those plans. Hubby and I are hoping to get there (he's already been) within the next 2 years or so - dying to see the sights! Thanks so much for sharing a bit of the history of the area.

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  2. oh wow! I just finished reading Ghost Walk by Heather Graham, that was based in NO and I am so intrigued with the history, so thank you for sharing this! =o)


    http://sweetspicestory.blogspot.com/

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  3. That's very interesting... my home is known as the Charlize Theron home for the very same reason. All you can do is put the invitation out there.

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  4. Aaron. This is the first time I've ever laughed out loud at a comment. Quite loud. Lucky no one else was home.

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