This building is a Catholic church that still holds mass.
Many horse drawn carriages line the outside of Jackson Square. To the left of this photo would performances throughout the day, with theater style seating. The smell of cigarettes, coffee and horses fill the area. The sound of people, carriage drivers calling for riders, dance music, horses breathing, and various styles of music are heard here.
(from internet) Here you can get an idea of how the artists set up along Jackson Square.
The French Quarter in gold/tan. Our hotel was at the very bottom the the gold. Most of everything you'd want to go to is in the gold box.