Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on land once occupied by the city’s colonial holding cells, Muriel’s Jackson Square is a site where opulence and tragedy have intertwined since the late 18th century. The haunting is centered on the figure of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, who painstakingly restored the grand home after the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, only to lose his beloved property in a high-stakes poker game in 1814. Devastated by the loss, Jourdan committed suicide in the slave quarters on the second floor—an area that now serves as the restaurant’s Seance Lounge. Far from a mere residual shadow, Jourdan is regarded as an active, “permanent resident” who manifests as a shimmering light or a wandering figure in the lounge, often accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps and the unexplained movement of furniture.

The restaurant’s staff maintains a unique, respectful relationship with the deceased owner, setting a table every night with bread and wine to appease his restless spirit and prevent mischievous activity. However, Jourdan is not alone; investigators have documented a second, more chaotic entity in the Courtyard and bar area that is known for shattering glassware and physically pushing guests. This “poltergeist-style” energy is often accompanied by disembodied female voices that whisper into the ears of unsuspecting diners. Modern activity recorded at the site includes numerous EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and consistent sightings of “shadow people” darting between the draped curtains of the Seance Lounge.