This place feels truly like a museum than an antique store. Its a must see if youre visiting New Orleans. The antique pieces are certainly an attraction, but the true gem of this store is the fine arts display on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The display and ambiance is perfectly set up so that a visitor can truly take in the beauty of the art without the noise and distraction of the outside world.

The Most Beautiful antique store I ever been to. Wow! I Was speechless. The artifacts were Museum Quality. I spend about an hour there. Highly recommend you stop there when in New Orleans.

There are so many reasons to love this antique store, most importantly, the staff was as impeccable as the antiques. We were on our way back to the car and passed by this antique shop/museum. The armoire near the entrance is so striking that we had to stop to look at it through the glass. However, the sliding doors opened to our surprise and the staff welcomed us in. We initially wanted to admire the armoire only, but the staffs attentiveness and knowledge was so engaging that we decided to look around. The staff told us the history of so many pieces. It was an exciting experience. What was most impressive was the fact that they were close to closing and we had no idea. We were not treated like we needed to leave or that we didnt belong in a shop with such expensive items. We did leave before they closed, but they were attentive and didnt rush us at all. It was obvious that they enjoy their job. I will definitely go back, as I need more time to engage with the entire antique shop/museum. I could have easily spent two hours at minimum in M.S.Rau.

Possibly the coolest shop in the Quarter. Its like a museum where you can buy stuff if you happen to be fabulously wealthy. Seriously though, a beautifully curated antique store with a wonderful staff and some of the coolest antiques Ive ever seen.

This place was so cool. They had some amazing historical pieces and they are totally cool with you looking around with no intention of buying anything. It was almost like a museum!

My absolute favorite store in the world! Its like walking into a museum, except everything has a price tag and is for sale. Theyll have everything from the desk of Napoleon to pool tables used by royalty--and the jewelry is fit for a queen, a must-see. The selection and history of the pieces available is unparalleled. I make a point of visiting every time that Im in town. The sales associates/consultants are also very friendly and inviting. I could maybe afford to buy an umbrella in there, and they still treat me like Im going to buy a Norman Rockwell painting in there. If I ever win the lottery, Im heading down south ;)You dont want to miss this!

Very entertaining. Obviously couldnt afford anything, but the artwork and antiques were breathtaking.

One of the coolest places in the French quarter, a museum in its own right that you can go into for free.

This place is insane! More like a museum than an antique mall. The perfect place to explore on a drizzly day. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable with a good sense of humor. They let us interact with the pieces and try on a $10M wedding ring.

This is a great place to wander around to escape the hustle and bustle of the quarter. DO NOT TAKE YOUR SMALL CHILDREN INSIDE THIS STORE. This is not a small child friendly place. The staff is super nice and willing to talk about any piece on display. Its like a museum where you can buy the items if you have the dough to spare. Go here. Its really cool.

This is more museum than antique store. The amazing array of antiques spans many genres and eras. The collection includes fine art, jewlery, and other museum quality pieces. Currently early 2018 it is also home to an exhibit for The triennial Prospect 4. This installation is well worth your time even if you arent into antiques.

Beautiful place to visit

There are antique shops and then there is M.S. Rau. Unlike the many kitschy antique shops scattered about New Orleans, Rau is more like the child of the Louvre Museum and Willy Wonkas Chocolate factory. The third and soon to be fourth generation family business has on display a player piano that also contains a set of three (player?) violins, a real bear skeleton from the ice age, and currently the only Van Gogh for sale in the world. If you are lucky enough, Coles will give you a tour of the secret back area with three floors filled with the most prized pieces in the store which can only be accessed through a hidden door. Despite walking in off the street wearing sandals, shorts, and carrying a plastic bag full of Cajun Seafood leftovers, Coles gave us an amazing tour for about half an hour showing us all the most interesting items and sharing their stories. It was easy to forget that everything is actually for sale from the $800,000 gold encrusted Steinway piano we played to the $10,000,000 Magritte painting in the back. Dont let the name fool you, this is an experience closer to a private museum tour where you can touch the artwork and is entirely free of charge, unless of course you are interested in buying...

This is a MUST SEE if you are visiting New Orleans. Half of the stuff in this store should be a museum, but thats part of what makes it so cool. You can stand in front of the literal Napoleon Bonapartes drawing desk and theres not even a velvet rope keeping you back. Its basically a free museum, but better. I wish I had a couple million dollars burning a hole in my pocket so I could spend it here.

Absolutely fantastic exhibits, and friendly staff. This gem is a must see of New Orleans to capture the Royal street antique experience

The friendly and knowledge staff, the historical furniture collection, the curiosities, the fine art housed behind a “secret” door—these are all some of the reasons to wander through this wonderful gem.

A very cool place with lots of antique items from 18th Century France. The staff will chat with you if you have questions but its also a nice place to wander because they wont bombard you with facts. It makes you nervous to toucu anything because everything is so valuable, but it was great! A museum in and of its own at no charge!

One of the most opulent galleries Ive ever browsed

WOW. I was absolutely blown away with this antique shop. It was beautiful, huge and had some of the most amazing pieces in it. I could have spent all day here

This place is amazing and has some of the most amazing artifacts. It was pretty amazing seeing some of the pieces you normally only see behind glass in a museum.

Exquisite antiques. Enjoyed looking at their unique collection.This place is pretty much a museum but free.

Fascinating, varied, highest quality antiques. Definitely worth a visit.

Are you kidding???! An amazing Haley filled with multi million dollar works of art by the Masters. They let me play their hundred grand piano!

I really enjoyed browsing their selection of curios and artwork

It is always a joy to spend time in this hidden gem, within the quarter. If youve passed it up in the past, dont make the same mistake again

If you are lucky.... you will be able to catch a tour of their back room. Probably the worst kept secret in New Orleans.I snuck in one that was already in motion. To my untrained eye thought their Picasso and Rockwell were the two most intriguing.

A place for the finest of tastes..... Only if you knew about the secrets this place has hidden in plain sight.... The book shelf from ceiling to floor has secrets only the wealthiest can afford.... Breathtaking say the least..... A must visit place while in The Big Easy.....

Great place. The most amazing stuff you will ever see.

Youd have to be a millionaire to shop here but its an amazing store to browse. Incredible historical artifacts!

This is a must see while in new orleans, the antiques are amazing you will think you are in a museum.

Stumbled upon this gem of a store! If youre into history, gems, and antiques, you cant go wrong here.

Fun to browse... employees are super friendly... Inventory is amazing.

Oh my, when you hear about the antique shops on Royal, this is the shop that sets the bar. We went for the free to the public art gallery upstairs, 200 Years of American Paintings. Phenomenal. We learned later they had sold 30 of the paintings already. We inquired about a small portrait of Alexander Hamilton. A smidge under 600k. It was an experience just seeing such exceptional art in one place. The shop is kept nice and cold on a very hot summer day in NOLA.

Just about the most remarkable collection Ive ever seen.

Visited the store today and it was great!! The employees are so warm and friendly. They let me try on a $9.8 million dollar ring!! So much fun. Lee took us to the secret room. The art was amazing, but not as amazing as Lee. He was wonderful and you can tell he really enjoys his job! Visiting Rau Antiques is always a highlight when we go to New Orleans!

The best antique shop in the United States. Better than 7/8s of museums.

This is like a museum of wonderful things. There was a HUGH pool table used by royalty. Abraham Lincolns Opera glasses. Tiffany silverware sets and so much more. And its all for sale (well most of it) And so worth taking an hour or two to see.

This is a fascinating gallery of art and antiques from around the world. More extensive than it at first appears, take a stroll all the way to the back where a concealed door reveals even more renowned pieces (that were unfortunately out on exhibition when I visited).

Incredible shop, highly recommend a walk through to anyone visiting New Orleans

Amazing antiques. Very helpful staff. Worth visit even if items are out of your budget

Interesting to see if you like fancy antiques and see stuff you could possibly never afford.

Amazing. Well worth a visit. Beautifully displayed art.

Amazing place to go. Wonderful antiques and art.

A wonderful, well informed staff who treat tourists as of they are long time customers. A Royal St. Institution.

Lived the stire

Back passages, secret rooms, and wings still being built offer priceless antiques at an affordable price.

This is a museum quality antique store. You will see things here that you may never see again. Everything is beautifully curated and displayed. And they are happy to have people walk through.

We really had fun looking around in this store. They had so many interesting things to look at, very high end.

Amazing collection. Wonderful free exhibition. Upstairs. Lovely thing is, you can purchase these things! Thank you!

Wow! Stop by and check out the amazing antiques, gorgeous jewelry and world-class paintings. Superb!

Rau Antiques is a gorgeous store filled with an array of items and history. I absolutely adored the library more than anything!!!Definitely a go-to for antique lovers.

More like a museum. Super friendly staff. A must see esp if you have a few hundred thousand burning a hole in your pocket. Go for the cave bear skeleton and ask to see the degas monets and rockwells.

This may be the coolest place in all of New Orleans, I constantly some people here it is an amazing antique shop they have things youll never see anywhere else for sale.. this is a must go for tourist in New Orleans or any locals even

Its an amazing place of antiques and art. My favorite statues are the Egyptian ones.

Amazing place. Museum quality art, jewelry, etc. All for sale, IF we mere mortals could afford it. Looking is however free.

Amazing selection and very high prices for showing off your wealth

I knew nothing about this amazing hidden treasure till I just walked by and stepped in. There are dozens of typical antique shops in the French Quarter. This is NOT typical. It is a magical experience. A true treasure!

The most beautiful and impressive antique store I have ever seen. A museum with price tags. The staff could not be more approachable. Must see!

The best fine art, antiques and fine estate jewelry gallery in America and possibly the world.

Some of the most exquisite antiques you will ever imagine or see - Its like a museum - I could spend HOURS in this store. Even if you arent in the market for antiques, it is a MUST to visit. dont forget to check out their BEAUTIFUL jewelry. THIS PLACE IS A TRUE TREASURE!

Like walking into a jewel box full of treasures. Be sure to check out their free exhibits upstairs.

This place should be a museum. Worth checking while in New Orleans. If you got the money and want the best this is the place to go.

This has to be the best antique store in the world. Dont miss stopping in here.

I actually recommend tourists to visit Rau’s in leu of a museum. Stunning, well chosen pieces! The staff makes everyone at ease, be they rich or poor. Highly recommended.

An mind-boggling collection of the finest quality antiques of every ilk, with most pieces rivaling or bettering any examples of kind found in museums. It is all housed within a 172-year-old historic storefront and open to the public during regular business hours.

A free museum even better a national treasure sadly you have to be a millionaire to shop here staff friendly

How many replies does it take to take me off of your email list? You are the absolute worst type of business for buying a list of emails and spamming me with your products. I had never heard of you until your junk mail started reaching me every week, so dont try to tell me I signed up somewhere or someone gave you my contact information thinking Id be interested.Id have to imagine if youll buy lists of emails to spam your content to, youre also happy to buy an abundance of 5 star reviews. Youre aware most of them read exactly like an ad, right?

The finest specimens of antiquites in New Orleans.

The shop was full of interesting and beautiful things to see. Staff was fabulous. Incredibly nice and welcoming and knowledgeable. I had a wonderful time!

Unless you have the same kind of money that the royal family has, you probably wont find anything here. This place is more like a museum than like a store, but having said that they have some of the most interesting items Ive ever seen in my life. The people are very nice and they know their products well. Go in and take a look around, youll be amazed

Have to see to believe

Amazing antiques! Just wish I had the money...

Superior quality antiques and collectables. Extremely knowledgeable people

Nice service, and very cool window shopping. Also, it is quite roomy inside.

Its free and theres a massive collection:really beautiful pool table and snooker tablesBear skeletonClock system

One of the greatest antique stores in the country. World class items. If you can spare an hour you really should have a look. Dont be deceived by the small storefront, its HUGE inside.

I typed this out and the first version disappeared. Here goes...We were on a Private Tour yesterday. The tour guide suggested if we had the time to visit M.S. Rau. So, we popped in today. Words simply can not describe the length and breadth of the collection of ... of what..Everything. Amazing, simply amazing.Lets see, a set of drill bit owned and used by the Wright Brothers ($27,000), a Steinway piano. Not just a piano, a player piano that also records on paper reels. Commisioned by tbe Kroger Family 1927. The one that was installed wss a recording made by George Gershwin ($235,000) . It was the home of 2 Napolean Death Masks in New Orleans, the only one for sale at $37,500.Truly a NO LA treasure, really treasure. A great way to spend an hour and a half. The staff is incredibly helpful and informative. Oh, did I mention they had the most beautiful pair of Silver Spurs from South America.It aint all about Bourbon Street.Max would be very proud

Very nice store with friendly staff with one of the kind antiques. Prices are very high. And shipping some of these items might cost you an arm and a leg also. But you will never see these items again. Fun place to look

This place is better than many a museum. There are not just antiques but actual artifacts here. Items from 1st Century BCE, Napoleons death mask, and if you ask, you can see the paintings in the back by Monet, Churchill, Norman Rockwell and many others. There are fantastic automated music machines like a three violin / player piano that operates on pneumatic pressure. So fascinating.

Very pricey but the inside is very nice

Fantastic antique shop. Historical and unique pieces. Were talking Monets, not trinkets. More like a museum. Super knowledgable staff.

Amazing!! Wonderful museum of American and international artifacts, all items for sale.

Museum quality antiques. Prices to match, but this is world class

Wow, wow, wow... Expensive but beautiful quality.

Astounding collection of art. Its like going to a top rated museum, except you can buy the Degas...if you got the $$$$. Well, they do have interest free layaway.

Seen ad for years in WSJ. I love the history and preservation , presentation of the pieces. Wonderful visit.

Absolutely wonderful service. A very cool place to visit regardless of if you buy anything.

This is quite possibly the most interesting antique store I could ever imagine.

Amazing shop! They have beautiful, one of a kind antiques from all over the world. Their customer service is top notch and total experts in their field. Make time for this during your stay, you will enjoy it.

Wonderful items, gracious service.

Outstanding establishment and as many reviewers note, better than many museums. Theres a mix of antiques from 1700-1900s. All are in exceptional condition and theres something for everyone.

We went in September. What caught my eye was the pre-Revolutionary Czarist silverware set in the display window. The place is absolutely FANTASTIC!!! We took a tour of the art gallery upstairs, as well, and were extremely impressed. Highly, highly recommend.

Dont be intimidated by the high price tags, this place is a museum with some of the most rare artifacts inn the world. Go upstairs and see everything, and make sure you ask for a tour of the secret room, plus ask to try on any jewelry you like! Truly a unique experience.

So much fun! I wish wed gotten to tour the whole place! We loved what we saw.

Like a European art gallery on steroids where if you want to buy it, its yours, beyond awesome :D

I love this place. Best antiques in America. I bought 2 things and they are pieces of history. Its like a museum with price tags. A lot is expensive but there are affordable things too. You gotta see it to believe it. Everything from dinosaur skeletons to original art by Claude Monet.

It is like a museum where you can buy any of the items on exhibit. Very much worth the detour when you are in New Orleans.

A Museum of the Finest Antiques history in the making! The art is fantastic Van Gogh at his finest. Thanks to all helpful google guides in the Big Easy!

Beautiful gallery with gorgeous antiques. The real thing. I wish we had more time, but we had to leave for our flight. It is a lot bigger than it seems with a giant showroom spanning in the back. Makes you wish you were old money. Definitely a must visit, regardless.