Table Of Content
- Where To Eat & Drink During Mardi Gras
- A second 'real' Napoleon House? History makes it clear which is the imposter
- THE MUFFULETTA
- The Best Bars In The French Quarter
- Drew Barrymore Slammed For Calling Kamala Harris “Momala Of The Country” In “Cringe” ‘Drew Barrymore Show’ Interview
- Barbra Streisand bluntly asks slimmed-down Melissa McCarthy about Ozempic use in 'boomer' Instagram comment

It’s all crowned by an octagonal cupola that offers a commanding 360-degree view of the city huddled on the Mississippi’s banks. The historic Napoleon House on Chartres Street in New Orleans, shown in 2018, was once intended as a refuge for exiled French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Much of the site's history is preserved in place—including in the cupola which overlooks the French Quarter. A popular New Orleans legend suggests that once Mayor Girod and a few other Bonaparte supporters heard about the exile they devised a plot to rescue the Emperor. It is believed that Jean Lafitte, Captain St. Ange Bossiere, and Dominique You were all involved in the plot. The plan was to rescue Napoleon from his exile and bring him to New Orleans to live out his remaining years at the Girod Home.
Where To Eat & Drink During Mardi Gras
Its patrons can still expect a soundtrack of classical music and the best muffulettas in town, as well as the same warm welcome first inspired by Napoleon, and practiced here ever since. After Girod resigned as mayor in September 1815, he took over the existing estate at Chartres and St. Louis, building it into the three-and-a-half story Creole cottage, complete with a cupola. The structure functioned as both a home and store (on the ground level) and remained in Girod’s family until the end of the 19th century.
A second 'real' Napoleon House? History makes it clear which is the imposter
The actress' close friend Shirley Manson, lead singer of the '90s music group Garbage, officiated. The dedicated team at Napoleon House in New Orleans embodies a passion for preserving the establishment's rich history and creating an unparalleled experience for patrons. It changed hands repeatedly over the years, with its ground floor becoming home to an Italian grocery just after the turn of the 20th century. The plot was hatched In 1821, with one of the conspirators being the infamous Louisiana pirate, Jean Lafitte.
THE MUFFULETTA

Girod was instrumental in aiding General Andrew Jackson with raising a local militia (including the renowned pirate Jean Lafitte), providing military supplies, and mitigating internal plots. If you’ve ever wondered what visiting the Haunted Mansion would be like if they poured a mean brandy milk punch, head to Napoleon House. This French Quarter landmark is over two centuries old and looks every year of it, with peeling paint, creaky wooden furniture, and lots of old portraits with eyes that follow you around the room. The kitchen here serves decent Creole staples, but we come here just for drinks—the no-nonsense, bowtied staff make some of the best classic cocktails around.
New Orleans' Napoleon House: More than just muffulettas - USA TODAY
New Orleans' Napoleon House: More than just muffulettas.
Posted: Wed, 13 Mar 2019 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Since 1949, Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar has served drinks while taking imbibers on a spin
There is no proof that the story is true, but it lends a mystique (and decorative theme) to the site, which has been known as “Napoleon’s House” since 1823. Attached to a two-story structure his brother had built, Girod’s new building stood three stories. With plain walls of stuccoed brick, it lacks the classical molding and other ornamentation popular at the time. The showiest elements on its façade are shallow, second-floor balconies, which boast modest wrought-iron railings. Whether you’re visiting for the Napoleonic history, the tales of the Impastato family, or a dinner of muffuletta and their famous Pimm’s cup, Napoleon House is a slice of history worth exploring in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The couple chose the historic Napoleon House as their venue for the romantic ceremony.
The Best Bars In The French Quarter
The property is rated among the highest historically significant locations in New Orleans, and is on the National Register of historic buildings. Hendricks says she and Bianchini — whom she first met on the set of her series Good Girls, which ran from 2018 to 2021 — wanted their wedding to be a big celebration of their love and a fun and memorable experience for their guests. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "So we just thought what an ice breaker and a fun way to walk around in the evening together."
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The plan was to help the deposed emperor escape and bring him to the New World, and the first floor of the building was set aside to be his home. After the Civil War, the French Quarter fell into disarray and later became a home for Italian and Irish immigrants. In the second century of its life, the house at the corner of Chartres and St. Louis was rented and later owned by the Impastato family. The ground floor was a grocery, later a bar (even during Prohibition) and then a restaurant, while the family lived upstairs. Joseph “Uncle Joe” Impastato, who originally rented the property in 1914 before purchasing it in 1920, was an Italian immigrant who had a love for family, food, and opera.
A closeup of the eight-sided cupola dominating the roof of Napoleon House, aka Girod House, at 500 Chartres St. in the French Quarter. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the world’s hidden wonders. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Donate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation today and you'll help preserve places that tell our stories, reflect our culture, and shape our shared American experience. As one of nine National Historic Landmarks in the French Quarter, the Napoleon House has undergone its fair share of renovations (which will include a restored stairwell in the near future), but it retains the charm that has endeared people to the building since 1815. Our favorite places to eat in the land of above-ground cemeteries and excellent Creole food.
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[1] Sometime around the end of Prohibition they changed the establishment's name to "Napoleon House." Through the years the property has been owned by a few different members of the Impastato family and remained in the family until 2015 when it was purchased by restaurateur Ralph Brennan. Napoleon House continues to be one of the most famous bars in the nation. When the property was purchased by New Orleans restauranteurRalph Brennan in 2015, he purposefully preserved the bar in place and kept muchof the Impastato flair in the restaurant. The family portraits hang on the walland the only music played in the restaurant is opera or classical, just as UncleJoe would have done. According to the website for the Napoleon House restaurant — which occupies the first floor and is famous in its own right for its Pimm’s Cup cocktail and its warm muffuletta sandwich — it was in 1814 that Girod first offered his house as a refuge for Napoleon.
A handful of famous artists attended the wedding, including "Mad Men" creator Matt Weiner and actress Mae Whitman. Shirley Manson, the lead singer of Garbage and a close friend of Hendricks, also attended to officiate the wedding. On top of that, by 1821 — the year the plot was ostensibly set into motion — Lafitte had vamoosed, trading New Orleans for Galveston, Texas. It wasn’t until 1821 that the plot allegedly hatched seven years earlier was finally set into motion, according to most versions. Napoleon abdicated in April 1814 — the very same month of Girod’s inheritance — although he wasn’t shipped to St. Helena then. Back then, Napoleon was imprisoned on the remote island of St. Helena, but, the story goes, a group of sympathetic Frenchmen hatched a plan to rescue him — with help from some amenable pirates — and deliver him to New Orleans to live out his golden years.
The guest list included ”Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner, Retta, Mae Whitman and Christian Siriano, who designed the actress’ pre-wedding cocktail dress. Hendricks told the outlet that she and Bianchini – who first met on the set of her TV show “Good Girls” – chose the Big Easy as they share a special connection to the city. Ralph Brennan recognizes team members each year at our annual holiday party with bonus checks honoring tenure and outstanding contributions. Team members recognized in 2023 celebrated 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service. A ghost tour was one of the celebratory events guests could partake in after a cocktail party at the Soniat House property, a luxury hotel located on Chartres Street.
Abeloved landmark on the corner of Chartres and St. Louis in New Orleans' FrenchQuarter, the Napoleon House exudes aEuropean charm in keeping with its 200-year history. Remaining trueto itself, the deeply patinated walls, uneven tile floors, and old wooden bar,hollowed by countless signature Pimm's Cups, speak to its many decades ofservice. He ran a grocery store on the bottom floor while living with his brothers and sisters in the upstairs quarters. Along with the grocery store, Joseph opened a tavern, which seemed to be favorable to the river workers and local businessmen, serving drinks and playing opera and classical music from his Victrola.
We’re not sure how the Pimm’s Cup got to be their house specialty (surely there’s a story), but whatever you do, don’t leave without trying the absinthe-dabbed Sazerac. Uncle Joe Impastato, the visionary founder of Napoleon House, had a discerning palate that leaned away from potent alcoholic beverages. Acquainted with Pimm's Cup during his travels in England—a refreshing, low-alcohol libation perfect for summer—he introduced it to Napoleon House. As a trailblazer, Napoleon House proudly became the first establishment in America to offer Pimm's Cups, surpassing global sales records, second only to the historic London bar that birthed this iconic drink. "We wanted [our friends and family] to feel sexy and welcomed and love and laugh, and have delicious food and indulge and enjoy incredible music. And we wanted to say, 'And hey, if you stick around, it'll continue to be like this. Come to our house. We'll do more of this,' " she explains.
The event kicked off with a welcome party on Friday, April 19, hosted at a mini mansion on the Soniat House hotel property, which was recently redecorated by renowned interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard. Guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before stepping out into the historic streets of the French Quarter for a ghost tour. Owned and operated by the Impastato family since 1914 and Ralph Brennan since May of 2015, Napoleon House is a place that suspends you in time. You can hear Beethoven's Eroiqua, which he composed for Napoleon, and the music of other classical masters, while sipping a Pimm's Cup, and basking in an ambiance that could only be New Orleans. Renowned for its iconic Warm Muffuletta (most serve theirs cold), a symphony of cured meats, tangy olive salad, and sesame-studded bread, all made in house, the establishment pays homage to the city's vibrant flavors.