Brulatour, A French Quarter Landmark

One of the most recognizable landmarks of the New Orleans French Quarter is the Brulatour Patio, with it's signature arch and stairway, and its fan doors and windows. This patio, like most in the French Quarter, was originally an open area behind the residences, and adjacent to stables, where the owners kept their horses and carriages. The Brulatour dates to 1816, when François Seignouret built it.

Home of the New Orleans Art League in the 1930s, it was the subject of many paintings by local emerging artists, many of whom now form the core of the New Orleans art community. In those days, a large pottery olive jar planter stood in the place that is now occupied by the famous fountain. The interest in the Brulatour Patio by artists and photographers continues to this day, making it one of the most frequently painted and photographed landmarks of New Orleans.

Since 1948, the patio has been part of the WDSU-TV broadcast facilities, and many of celebrity interviews took place in the famous courtyard. The patio was open to the public during business hours, and was visited by many tourists each day. Some just wanted to look and take pictures, while others wanted to visit the patio depicted in a painting that they just bought. It has, over the years, become as recognizable as Jackson Square, the Cafe Du Monde, Pirate Alley, and the St. Louis Cathedral. WDSU-TV moved to their new present location in 1996.

After 98 years in the hands of the Obolensky family, the world famous Brulatour Patio was again sold. It was a complicated real estate transaction, involving cash and land swap, which gave the ownership of the patio and surrounding buildings at 520 Royal Street to the Monteleone family, owners of the Monteleone Hotel. The plans are to develop retail business in the buildings.