The New Orleans French Quarter is the oldest section of the city, a neighborhood crisscrossed with famous street names and rich in historical landmarks. Even if you never set foot into a single museum, shop, or tavern, a walk through the French Quarter is a trip back in time.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise the French Quarter is packed with interesting things to see and do. Among the very best are the antique shops and one-of-a-kind art galleries. While each one is worth checking out, visitors might be overwhelmed trying to explore them all. That’s why we’ve decided to curate a list of the very best.
The following are six must-see antique shops and art galleries located in the French Quarter:
M.S. Rau Antiques
A mainstay of Royal Street since 1912, M.S. Rau Antiques houses one of the most respected fine art and antique collections in the entire country. The gallery feels more like a museum than a boutique. Their carefully curated collection includes American fine art paintings, Victorian-era antiques, antique fine jewelry, and even precious documents written and signed by some of the world’s most significant historical figures. Visitors will be wowed by the artistic wonders around them as well as the elegant displays through which they are presented.
Moss Antiques
Another iconic antique boutique along Royal Street, Moss Antiques looks more like your typical antique store than an art gallery. But don’t let the cozy clutter fool you; Moss features an impressive treasure trove of high-end antiques. Specializing in iconic oyster plates from the late-19th and early-20th centuries, Moss has an equally impressive collection of antique jewelry, old-world furniture, silverware, and pottery. Their fascinating collection of objet d’art is also quite remarkable.
Royal Antiques Ltd
If you love antique furniture, then Royal Antiques is the place for you! Furniture is their specialty, with collections covering chairs, tables, lamps, mirrors, and more. Smaller than the typical Royal Street antique shop, what Royal Antiques lacks in quantity, they make up in quality; the pieces under their care rarely last long enough to be displayed before being sold. With that said, the owners are always wheeling and dealing in order to find the next hidden treasure to be showcased in their store.
A Gallery for Fine Photography
As the name suggests, you won’t find much antique furniture or ancient jewelry when visiting A Gallery for Fine Photography. Located at the corner of Chartres and Bienville Streets, the gallery holds an impressive collection of original prints with an emphasis on Southern culture and New Orleans history. A walk through A Gallery for Fine Photography is like taking a trip back in time – for better or worse – to get an up-close glimpse of what life was like in the Big Easy back in the day.
James Cohen & Sons, Inc.
Perhaps the most unique option on the list, James Cohen & Sons specializes in military antiques and rare coins. From early-19th century muskets to Ancient Roman denarius, their collection is sure to impress the amateur history buff as well as the academic historian. With that said, James Cohen & Sons also deals in antique jewelry and rare collectibles covering a wide range of eras and specialties. Stop in to get an up close and personal look at the history of warfare, or simply set your sights on their eclectic collection of other antiques.
Rothschild’s Antiques
Last but not least, Rothschild’s Antiques is renowned for its collection of English and French furniture. Just picture the sorts of chairs you’d dare never sit in and cabinets you’d be too afraid to touch. While the modern-day market for old furniture is not nearly as lucrative as those for jewelry, artwork, and military memorabilia, the pieces found among Rothschild’s collection are sure to impress and even seduce; you might end up with a chair you never sit in after all!
As the city’s most culturally and historically significant district, the New Orleans French Quarter is a seemingly never ending series of historic landmarks, iconic architecture, and fascinating boutiques. The antique shops and art galleries along Royal Street are enough to keep you occupied for the duration of your visit. With this in mind, we figured a “cheat sheet” of the very best is in line.
We hope you stop into one or more of these incredible shops and galleries. You won’t regret it! Not any more than that third Hurricane, that’s for sure!
Michael Driver is a freelance writer from Texas. He enjoys covering topics related to history, movies, and sports. Michael can be reached at [email protected].
