An Ode to French Culture
Just outside the French
Quarter and adjacent to the old City Hall is a little oasis for the weary
traveler looking for an escape from the real city that never sleeps. At
Maison de la Luz, one can find a hotel experience where comfort meets luxury and
a warm embrace finds an air of glamorous exclusivity - all in the heart of the Crescent
City. Inside this 67-room 1908 historic guesthouse, Maison de la Luz is a true
ode to French Culture with classic checkerboard black and white flooring and vibrantly
rich velvet high-backed chairs adorned with brassy rivets and silky fringe. The
Breakfast Room is an absolute vision in blue and white, that will do nothing
short of taking your breath away. From the adorably white scalloped breakfast
tables matched with delicate cobalt blue wicker chairs to the large print murals
of watery blue plants and flowers, dining in this room may just transport you
to an elegant café in the French countryside. More than that, the Living Room of
Maison de la Luz offers a private marvel of vibrantly colored animal print rugs, eccentrically commissioned matching artwork, and luxurious armchairs and couches that
invite you to take a seat and have a drink or two.
Thankfully enough, you don't
have to be a guest of Maison de la Luz to get a glimpse of the gorgeous lifestyle
that they offer. Connected to the hotel itself is the crown jewel Bar Marilou,
and if you haven't yet visited this maximalist haven, then the perfect event is
coming around on July 14. Next Thursday, Maison de la Luz is celebrating
Bastille Day in their Bar Marilou, and you won't want to miss this ode to French
culture.
Celebrating Bastille Day in Style at Bar Marilou
Bar Marilou, created as a love child of Parisian
culinary group Quixotic Projects and Maison de la Luz, is an exquisite craft
cocktail bar like no other. Nestled in the remains of City Hall's historic library,
the converted space still holds elements of its past life. With classic books
filling the shelved red walls and tiny curated curiosities adding to the maximalist
dreamscape, the unique design almost beckons for visitors to treat it as more of
a museum than cocktail bar. These museum-esque lined shelves and rich oil paintings
surprisingly don't take away from the true purpose of the space; in fact, it
only adds to the luxurious ambience. With rich velvet seating throughout the old
library and a cozy tiger-print carpet along the floors, Bar Marilou is a place
for easy conversation with friends and loved ones, which is exactly why you
cannot miss their upcoming Bastille Day celebration.
As an ode to French
Culture, it only makes sense that Bar Marilou and Maison de la Luz are
celebrating one of the biggest holidays for the French and Francophiles in
style. The unique cocktail lounge is inviting Maison de la Luz guests and
locals to their Bastille Day celebration, where the vibrant atmosphere of Bar
Marilou will be filled with French inspired music and entertainment, delicious
food, and, of course, Parisian-style décor.
The evening will begin from
4-6pm with an elegant performance by Sarah Quintana, French chanteuse and
musician, filling the room with Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose" and other sweet
classics. From then until 9pm, gypsy jazz, violin, and accordion will be spicing
up the Bastille Celebration, with a live performance by Tangiers Combo. Following
the musical group, DJ Heelturn will be taking the reins with a tour of French
house & world music until 12am.
Throughout the night,
guests can get a taste of French cuisine with special menu items specific to
the event, like the Crepe Suzette, featuring fresh strawberries, creamy blueberry
ice cream, and Chantilly. For a more savory bite, the Bastille Day celebration
will include delicious mussels served with a white wine and cream sauce and the
classic French take on potatoes - fries! Along with great food and a lively
atmosphere, Bar Marilou has a few special cocktails on the menu for the night:
the Calvados French 75 and La Louisiane. The first whips together calvados,
lemon juice, sugar, and champagne, while the other features sweet vermouth, rye
whiskey, Benedictine absinthe, and bitters. You can't go wrong with either
option, and they'll only be there for the night - so you have to get a taste!
If you really can't make it
to this ode to French culture at Bar Marilou's Bastille Day Event, then you
must visit the cocktail lounge sometime soon. Either that or book a stay at the
incredible Maison de la Luz. Sitting
pretty at the red bar or in the cozy Living Room, you definitely won't regret
this unique experience.
