A National Historic Landmark
icholas Girod never met Napoleon
Bonaparte. But the mayor of New
Orleans and the emperor of France
share a curious footnote to history.
Which is why the mayor's home
now bears the emperor's name.
By 1821, Napoleon's empire was reduced
to the dimensions of one tiny island: St. Helena.
His reign over the hearts of expatriate Frenchmen
was quite undiminished, however.
In New Orleans, men like Girod and the
pirate Jean Lafitte sipped absinthe in steamy
cafes and hatched vaporous plots to rescue their
hero. Perhaps they imagined a new empire in
the new world. Perhaps, with their creole blood,
they simply couldn't resist the grand adventure.
At any rate, ships were fitted and the
mayor's own house was enlarged to accommodate
the imperial presence. But Napoleon himself
foiled the plot with his untimely death. Only the
emperor's name escaped to New Orleans and
Mayor Girod's fine home.
The Napoleon House still sees its share of
unlikely dreams and visions. And French accents
can sometimes be heard among those of other
nations and, of course, the patois of New Orleans.
As an internationally famous bar and cafe, the
old landmark is refreshingly unpretentious. Its
flavor is local. Its music is classical. An imperial
presence lingers, undiminished, in its heart.
he Napoleon House Bar and Cafe
is an authentic New Orleans
institution.
Here, in one of America's few
truly great bars, generations have
learned and practiced the art of civilized drinking.
From the definitive sazerac to the perfect Pimm's
Cup, every drink reflects a master's pride and
skill. As does the excellent selection of imported
and domestic wines and beers. And the resolutely
reasonable pricing.
The menu is typical of New Orleans neighborhood
cafes, which is to say it's distinctly
atypical. The classic muffuletta sandwich, stuffed
with meats, cheese and olive salad, heads up a
bill of fare that features po-boys, hearty soups,
salads and desserts. It's the kind of food that
can be taken for granted only in New Orleans,
where small Italian kitchens have long been the
cornerstone of local culinary tradition.
The Italian influence dates from 1914, when
Mr. Joe Impastato bought the Napoleon House.
Among other innovations, Mr. Joe set aside an
upstairs suite of rooms for his personal use.
Today, the completely furnished two-bedroom
apartment, with its private balcony, is available
for daily, weekly or monthly rental. With its
comfort, convenience and historic charm, the
suite offers visitors and locals alike a rare
experience of New Orleans.
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'APPARTEMENT DE L'EMPEREUR
is the most recent and significant
addition to the history of the
Napoleon House. The upstairs meeting
and reception room is quite
unlike any other, anywhere.
Faithfully restored to the elegance of the
Empire period, L'APPARTEMENT reveals its
character in the care which has been given to
every detail: the wide-planked flooring, the
original hand-milled cypress woodwork, the
chandeliers and medallions, the intricately
carved crest of the Girod family which crowns
the mantel.
For all its historic significance, L'APPARTEMENT
has an unpretentiously comfortable
ambience which is complemented by the friendly
service so characteristic of today's Napoleon
House. This happy contrast between setting
and mood makes any event, from an awards
banquet to a wedding reception, incomparably
richer and more enjoyable.
L'APPARTEMENT DE L'EMPEREUR is now
available for private functions. Its 2,300 square
foot area is available for business meetings and
more than adequate to accommodate either seated
dining or more informal stand-up occasions. The
room's storied past lends a memorable significance
to present-day celebrations of all kinds.
For more information about the facilities
and catering arrangements of L'APPARTEMENT
DE L'EM:PEREUR, call the Napoleon House,
( 504) 525-2431.
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TAKE HOME A TASTE OF HISTORY
The classic Napoleon House Pimm's Cup
has earned its own place in the history of
civilized drinking. Now it's ready to earn a
place in your home. The handsomely packaged
Napoleon House Pimm's Gift Set includes a
fifth of Pimm's, two souvenir glasses, complete
mixing instructions and a brief history of the
Napoleon House. Next time you drop in, ask
your waiter about the Napoleon House Pimm's
Gift Set.
A National Historic Landmark
500 Chartres Street • New Orleans, LA 70130 • 504/524-9752
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