A vibrant courtyard with people walking and sitting at tables under umbrellas. The area is surrounded by tall buildings with large windows, and potted plants add greenery to the scene. Posters are displayed, and the atmosphere is lively and social.

Brulatour Courtyard

One of the most illustrated courtyards in the world, this French Quarter landmark has captured the creative spirit of New Orleans for decades.

The Brulatour Courtyard is the central architectural feature of HNOC’s museum at 520 Royal Street, connecting the front and rear buildings with the café and shop. The courtyard has a rich history as a cultural and creative hub in the French Quarter. Part of the 1816 Seignouret-Brulatour Building, the courtyard started out as a basic service area for domestic workers. In the 1920s and ’30s, the Arts and Crafts Club of New Orleans leased the rear buildings and wings for galleries and classrooms, attracting notable Louisiana artists like Clarence Millet, Will Henry Stevens, and Helen Turner.

Arts and Crafts Club Court Patio, New Orleans, La., 1936. HNOC, 1974.364.10

Arts and Crafts Courtyard, 1930, by George Pearce. HNOC, gift of St. Mary’s Dominican College, 1984.205.160

Brulatour Courtyard, 1952, by A. B. Suhor. HNOC, gift of Sue Budde in memory of her husband, Joe Budde, 2007.0357.1

Brulatour Courtyard, 1930s, photo by Eugene Delcroix. HNOC, gift of Joel Jergins and Mrs. Eugene Delcroix, courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art, 1984.189.2105

Brulatour Court—New Orleans, by E. Oliver. HNOC, gift of Carl Dengel, 2008.0097.2

The club played a significant role in the bohemian life of the Vieux Carré, with artists frequently depicting the courtyard’s rear corner and staircase in various media. These views found their way onto picture postcards, which showcased the courtyard—and New Orleans architecture as a whole—to a global audience.

Picture postcard depicting the Brulatour Courtyard, 1940s. HNOC, 1990.20.31

In 1950, local television station WDSU acquired the property, and the Brulatour Courtyard became a central part of the station’s image. The station gained national recognition and even hosted the cast of Saturday Night Live during Mardi Gras in 1977. WDSU moved its headquarters out of the French Quarter in 1998.

WDSU cameramen in the studio at 520 Royal Street, 1950s, photo by Joe Budde. HNOC, gift of Sue Budde in memory of her husband, Joe Budde, 2007.0357.2.1

Dick Van Dyke and Maggie Brooks on set at WDSU, 1954 or ’55, photo by Charles F. Weber. HNOC, 2012.0208.1.7

HNOC acquired the property in 2006 and commissioned archaeological surveys to be conducted on the site, which revealed a 19th-century well beneath the courtyard, along with numerous artifacts. The well, now covered with glass and illuminated, allows visitors to explore this hidden aspect of French Quarter history.

A group of students stands around a glass floor panel, observing a historical underground structure. A guide in a green shirt points down, explaining the scene. The room is well-lit and has potted plants in the background.

Students gather around the glass-topped well. Photo by Amber Johnson, HNOC

Restoration of the courtyard-adjacent staircase popularized by the Arts and Crafts Club was sponsored by HNOC’s 2017 Laussat Society and Bienville Circle members, enabling new generations of visitors to appreciate and capture the view.

Picture postcard depicting the Brulatour Courtyard, 1940s. HNOC, 1990.20.31

WDSU cameramen in the studio at 520 Royal Street, 1950s, photo by Joe Budde. HNOC, gift of Sue Budde in memory of her husband, Joe Budde, 2007.0357.2.1

Dick Van Dyke and Maggie Brooks on set at WDSU, 1954 or ’55, photo by Charles F. Weber. HNOC, 2012.0208.1.7

Plan Your Visit

Hours & Location

520 Royal Street
Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m .
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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Admission

Admission is free but tickets are required. Stop by the front desk or reserve tickets online. Ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and regular daily programs.

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