Few places capture the essence of New Orleans like the Napoleon House: A 200 year old landmark that's as casual and unique as its French Quarter surroundings.

The building's first occupant, Nicholas Girod, was mayor of New Orleans from 1812 to 1815. He offered his residence to Napoleon in 1821 as a refuge during his exile.

Napoleon never made it, but rather died on St. Helena in 1821. Later, one of Napoleon's doctors during his imprisonment, Dr. Francesco Antommarchi, did live in New Orleans. In 1834 he set up a free clinic for the poor in the house which would have been Napoleon's had he escaped captivity.

But the name stuck, and since then, the Napoleon House has become one of the most famous bars in America, a haunt for artists and writers throughout most of the 20th century.