Fleur De Sang

Fleur De Sang : Vampires of New Orleans. 

New Orleans has a powerful and enduring association with vampires, largely due to a perfect storm of historical folklore, a rich literary tradition, and a thriving subculture. The city's unique atmosphere, with its gothic architecture, above-ground cemeteries, and a reputation for the supernatural, provides the perfect backdrop for vampire lore.

1. Anne Rice and The Vampire Chronicles

This is the single most significant factor in linking New Orleans with vampires. The late author Anne Rice, a native of New Orleans, set her iconic series, The Vampire Chronicles, in the city. Her novels, especially Interview with the Vampire, popularized the idea of a sophisticated, tormented, and ancient vampire society lurking in the French Quarter and Garden District.

Lestat de Lioncourt: The charismatic and often rebellious central character, Lestat, is forever tied to New Orleans in the public imagination. Fans flock to the city to see locations mentioned in her books, such as her former home in the Garden District and various cemeteries.

Literary Tourism: Rice's work created a new kind of tourism in New Orleans. Visitors seek out places like Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (where Lestat's fictional tomb is often associated with the Karstendiek family crypt), the LaLaurie Mansion, and famous French Quarter bars and restaurants that appear in her stories.

2. The Legend of the "Casket Girls"

This is a popular local legend that predates Anne Rice's work and adds to the city's dark mystique. The story goes that in the 18th century, young French orphans, known as filles à la cassette ("casket girls" in translation), were sent to New Orleans to marry colonists.

The Legend: They arrived with small, coffin-like chests (the "casquettes") containing their belongings. The girls were sickly and pale from their long sea voyage, leading locals to spread the rumor that they were vampires or that they had smuggled vampires into the city.

The Ursuline Convent: According to the tale, the girls were housed in the attic of the Old Ursuline Convent, and after they left, the wooden chests were found mysteriously empty. The attic was supposedly sealed for centuries, fueling the vampire rumors. While the historical truth is far more mundane, the legend is a cornerstone of New Orleans' vampire folklore and is a highlight of many ghost and vampire tours.

3. The Vampire Subculture

New Orleans has a prominent and open subculture of people who identify as vampires, both "sanguine" (those who drink small amounts of blood from willing donors) and "psychic" or "energy" vampires (those who believe they absorb energy from others).

Community and Lifestyle: This community, which has roots in the goth subculture, views vampirism as a spiritual or lifestyle choice rather than a literal state of undeath. They are drawn to New Orleans' "live and let live" attitude and gothic atmosphere.

Public Presence: The city has specific venues, like the Boutique du Vampyre, that cater to both tourists and members of this subculture. The city also hosts major events, such as the annual Endless Night Vampire Ball, which draws attendees from all over the world.

4. General Gothic and Supernatural Atmosphere

Beyond specific stories and books, New Orleans' very identity makes it a natural home for vampire associations.

Architecture and Cemeteries: The city's wrought-iron balconies, dark alleys, and above-ground tombs create a uniquely eerie and romantic setting that is perfect for vampire tales.

Folklore and the Occult: The city's deep history of Voodoo, ghosts, and other supernatural legends makes the concept of vampires a seamless fit into its cultural tapestry. Tours highlighting these themes are a major tourist attraction.