In 1859, New Orleans’ fabled French Opera House opened at Bourbon and Toulouse streets in the French Quarter, becoming a focal point of Deep South society. For 60 years, hundreds of operas were presented there. There were also elegant balls and social events for New Orleans’ Creole society. The Opera House is long-gone, but the culture and excitement on the same corner remain, thanks to its current occupant, Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter. Known for its unique New Orleans experience, the 186-room hotel sits on one of the most sought-after locations in the city. It includes a restaurant, Café Opera; a lush tropical courtyard and pool; and its popular Puccini Bar. Keeping with its musical roots, the hotel also hosts a popular series of live monthly opera performances. For such a small, intimate establishment, Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter still echoes an illustrious past.
Designed by New Orleans architect James Gallier, Jr., the French Opera House had a great elliptical auditorium and seated 1,800 on four tiers of seats. Its 80-foot high loft towered above all of the buildings of the French Quarter. Destroyed by a fire in 1919, the location took on various incarnations. Eventually, a local family bought the property, and has operated the hotel for nearly 50 years.
The hotel has more than 4,000 square feet of market-leading meeting facilities, comfortable guest rooms and mini-suites. Guests looking for the excitement of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter can stay in one of the hotel’s balcony rooms overlooking Toulouse and Bourbon streets. For a quieter stay, there are rooms and balconies facing the beautifully-landscaped Courtyard and Pool.
At Café Opera, guests can enjoy Continental and Creole favorites, including White Bean Soup, Beef Bourguigon, Quiche Florentine and Chicken Friand. Enjoy Happy Hour and sample a seemingly unending list of specialty drinks at the Puccini Bar.
Then, there is the music. The hotel hosts its popular series of monthly musical performances, “Opera Returns to Bourbon Street,” featuring evening performances by vocalists from the New Orleans Opera Association and local classical vocalist group Bon Operatit! For those more interested in music history, there is the new French Opera House exhibit, on display in the hotel lobby. A collaboration between the hotel and archivists and exhibit curators, the exhibit showcases images, artifacts, and stories about the French Opera House.
For more information, visit www.fourpointsfrenchquarter.com or call 504-524-7611.
