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Every street In the French Quarter, displays a sign like this - a symbol
of historical regard. Royal Street was, in fact, named by the French as Rue
Royale, a name worthy and descriptive of one of the most significant
streets in the world today.
Much of the hoopla surrounding Royal Street, - just one block off
Bourbon - is not only about the array of outstanding boutiques,
restaurants, hotels, upscale galleries and antique shops, but of it's
historical significance.
By the turn of the 19th century, New Orleans was thriving with cotton
and sugar trade. Wealth and excitement poured through the
harbors. New Orleans became the country's fifth largest city with
the busiest port, and Royal Street became an international shopping
center, filled with an eclectic mix of highly skilled craftsmen, pushcarts
and singing peddlers.
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Fortunately the magnificent French and Spanish architecture has been
carefully preserved over the centuries, and today, the Royal
Street Guild strives to preserve the quality, integrity and
authenticity of the early days. Many of the families in the Guild are
descendents of the original shopkeepers and merchants who are given credit
for the 'Golden Age' of Royal Street.
If it's antiques you love, there are eight blocks of outstanding
galleries. If your pleasure is in paintings, clothing, trinkets,
glass, or even fountains, you won't be disappointed. Fine, historic
hotels such as the Hotel Monteleone
and restaurants, such as Mr.
B's, Brennans
and Court of
Two Sisters are the finishing touch to an excursion to Royal
Street. For a visit to an accurately-restored home, visit the Gallier
House, called "one of the best small museums in the country"
by the New York Times.
Cars are banned from Royal Street during weekends
and holidays. Instead, street performers come out and entertain
people as they wander from shop to shop.
If you go to the French Quarter and miss the Rue
Royale, you haven't really been there!
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If your browser is Internet Explorer,
take a peek
into these intriguing Royal Street shop windows.
Otherwise, you can view the images here.
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Tomorrow we'll leave New Orleans and go east to the River Road
and visit too very different
Plantations.
Let's Go!
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