Nicolas Giraud House in New Orleans

Nicholas Giraud House is a three-story brick stucco building with a hipped roof and a dome, also known as Napoleon's house. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 as one of the finest examples of French architecture. The history of the owner is an integral part of the building itself.

The Story of Nicolas Giraud

Nicolas Giraud was born in France in 1747. In the 1770s, he and his brothers, Claude François and Jean François, immigrated to North America. They settled in New Orleans, which was then under Spanish rule but had a significant French population.

The brothers' trade flourished — they ran a wholesale and retail store near the levee and quickly gained popularity. Nicolas became a well-known figure, and in 1812, he was elected Mayor of New Orleans, by then a part of the United States. The inauguration ceremony was conducted in French since Girod did not speak English. When suggested that he improve his English skills, he famously retorted that it would be better for the citizens to learn French. His stance was seen as justifiable.

Giraud never married or had children. When his neighbor died, he became the guardian of three children. One of these children later sued him for illegally managing their father's estate. Nicolas died in his home at the age of 93, but he is still remembered today for his intriguing adventures and legacy.

The Legend of Napoleon's House

Giraud retired in 1815. His brother Claude had passed away a year earlier, leaving Nicolas a two-story house as an inheritance. Girod remodeled the house, adding another story to it. The ground floor housed a store, and Giraud himself lived on the upper floors.

Later, Nicolas began to position the house as a residence for Napoleon. He organized a group of pirates to rescue the former emperor from exile on Saint Helena. The plan was straightforward — to swiftly sail to Saint Helena, eliminate the British guards, locate the emperor, escort him to a fast yacht, and sail to America. It's unclear whether Napoleon knew of this scheme, and if so, what he thought about it.

As the work on equipping the yacht continued, Nicolas furnished his home in all the grandeur befitting a sovereign's abode in a democratic country. However, the plan failed: Napoleon died three days before the team's departure, thwarting the adventurers' plans. But the house remained. The story first appeared in print in the late 19th century, was widely covered in the press in the early 20th century, and remains popular today. Unfortunately, there is little evidence to support it — eyewitness accounts vary in details.

Napoleon's House is not the only reminder of the emperor in New Orleans. Dr. François Antommarchi, who was Napoleon's physician in exile, gave the city a copy of the death mask, which is displayed in the Louisiana State Museum. One of the city's main thoroughfares is named after Napoleon, flanked by streets named after his battles. Thus, the memory of the emperor, who once sold Louisiana to the USA, is not likely to leave these parts anytime soon.

What Happened to the Giraud House