New Orleans, Louisiana is known for many things – its distinct music, unique dialect, Creole cuisine, and the annual celebration of the Mardi Gras. It is also known for the French Quarter and its lively nightlife.

A photo of the New Orleans skyline. (Link: https://www.myneworleans.com/connecting-to-the-crescent-city/)

Another place in New Orleans that appeals to the crows is a restaurant called Muriel’s. It is said to be haunted by Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who bought and restored the building. Do you want to know more about the paranormal activities that take place in this restaurant? Read more below!

A photo of Muriel’s as seen from the outside. (Link: https://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Restaurant_Review-g60864-d426305-Reviews-Muriel_s_Jackson_Square-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html)

The History of Muriel’s

In the year 1718, New Orleans was founded. During the same time, a young French Canadian, who was identified as Claude Trepagnier, received a piece of land as a reward for assisting the expedition. He then used the lot to be the place of his residence as he built a small cottage in the area. This piece of land became a prime property over the years because it was so close to the Jackson Square.

Years have passed and sometime in 1745, Jean Baptiste Destrehan, who was one of the wealthiest and most powerful men at that time, acquired the property. He changed the small cottage into a huge building, which was elaborate and grand, to house his family. He died around 20 years later and the home was passed down to his son. His son later sold the property at an auction after his family needed money.

In 1776, one Pierre Phillipe de Marigny bought the residence and used it as his own. Twelve years later, the Great New Orleans Fire took place and it burned down a lot of establishments in the area, including a portion of Marigny’s mansion.  Later, Pierre Antonie Lepardi Jourdan purchased the property from Marigny. He also built his dream house in the land for his family.

An old photo of Pierre Antonie Lepardi Jourdan. (Link: https://thenightsofrevelation.fandom.com/wiki/Pierre_Antoine_Lepardi_Jourdan)

In the year 1814, however, Jourdan wagered his home in a poker game. He lost it that night and because of that, he committed suicide on the second floor of the home. Many believe that his ghost remains in the property to this day.

After many changes in ownership, Muriel’s Jackson Square opened to the public. It maintained most of the original design of the building and the owners converted the second floor into séance rooms, as they embrace the possibility that Jourdan’s ghost remains in the building. It is the area where Jourdan reportedly spends most of his time, too. Many people try to contact the spirit of Jourdan in the séance rooms.

An old photo of the property before Muriel’s was opened. (Link: https://muriels.com/)

The Ghosts At Muriel’s

Many patrons and staff of Muriel’s really believe that the ghost of Jourdan is at the restaurant. They claim that they saw things being moved around the restaurant without anyone there.

There have also been many times when glasses have flown from behind the bar across the brick wall. The glasses shattering on the brick wall for no apparent reason already occurred thrice since the opening of Muriel’s.

Others claim that they have seen strange shadows and heard unknown voices while at Muriel’s. Paranormal investigators also say that whenever they try to communicate with spirits while at the Séance Lounge, they hear very distinct knocks and they believe it is how the spirits are communicating with them. There have also been reports of recorded audio of a female voice when there is no female in the paranormal investigation groups.  

A photo of the Seance Lounge at Muriel’s. (Link: https://muriels.com/)

Jourdan’s Table at Muriel’s

Because the owners of Muriel’s believe that Jourdan’s spirit still lingers in the property, they have an entire table set up for him. It has bread and wine and the staff set his table every evening. Accordingly, they started to do this because Jourdan has been very mischievous. When they set a table for him, his mischief ended.

Jourdan’s Table. (Link: https://mouthbrothels.wordpress.com/2014/09/25/muriels-jackson-square/)

He loves to make his presence known by touching guests or talking in a manner that he is heard.

If you were to visit Muriel’s, do not be afraid that the spirits will attack you or are harmful. The owners and the staff said that they are very naughty but they are not mean. They are also entertaining and have never harmed anyone.

Outside Muriel’s at night. (Link: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/louisiana/new-orleans/muriels-ghost-story-nola/)