'Mad Men' star Christina Hendricks got married in NOLA Entertainment Life

Table Of Content

• Clowning for Novices: History and Practice With Rose Carver
• The Best Restaurants In The French Quarter
• The Best Bars In The French Quarter
• THE IMPASTATOS
• The Napoleon House plot: The colorful history behind the New Orleans landmark
• The Best Restaurants In New Orleans
• Preserving 200 Years of History in the French Quarter’s Napoleon House

In keeping the tradition alive, almost a century later, opera and classical music is played at Napoleon House. Napoleon House, located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, boasts a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. Built in 1797, the building originally served as the residence of Nicholas Girod, the then-mayor of New Orleans. The property earned its name from the mayor's offer, in 1821, to provide refuge to Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile. Originally built in 1797 as the home of New Orleans mayor Nicholas Giroud, the building received its name due to a bizarre plot conceived in the 1820s to spring Napoleon Bonaparte from his exile on the island of Saint Helena.

Clowning for Novices: History and Practice With Rose Carver

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 Best Restaurants In The French Quarter

NOLA Life Stories: Sal Impastato Bids Farewell To The Napoleon House - WWNO

NOLA Life Stories: Sal Impastato Bids Farewell To The Napoleon House.

Posted: Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:00:00 GMT [source]

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 Best Bars In The French Quarter

[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.

Napoleon House – New Orleans, Louisiana - Atlas Obscura

Napoleon House – New Orleans, Louisiana.

Posted: Sat, 23 Feb 2013 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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."

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.

‘Mad Men’ star Christina Hendricks marries George Bianchini in New Orleans

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In April 1814, Mayor Nicolas Girod was serving his first term as mayor of New Orleans when his brother, Clause Francois, died and left him a lot on the corner of Chartres and St. Louis Streets. When he received this plot, he began to build a grand home, a three-and-a-half story townhouse with room for a business and residence. Owned and operated by the Impastato family since 1914 and Ralph Brennan since May of 2015, Napoleon House suspends you in time. Listen to 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. The following day, Hendricks and Bianchini — who got engaged in February 2023 after proposing to each other — exchanged handwritten vows at a ceremony held at Napoleon House, a century-old restaurant that remains a New Orleans landmark.

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.

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.

On September 4th, one year into his second term, Girod resigned as Mayor due to financial troubles. The people of New Orleans then learned that Napoleon escaped the island of Elba on March 1, 1815, but was recaptured and sent to Ste. Before the Grod and the other Napoleon supporters could execute their supposed plot, Bonaparte died in captivity on May 5, 1821.