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Paris's covered passageways, a real treasure!
Discover Paris's covered passageways
Discover Paris in an original way from your hotel near the Grands Boulevards... with a stroll through the covered passages and galleries of the City of Light.
A covered cultural route through Paris
Of the 150 covered passageways in Paris in the 1850s, only 20 or so remain today. Most of these Parisian passages are still accessible, with the exception of the Passage Ben Aïad, now closed to the public.
Their singular architecture consists of a passageway between two buildings, covered by a glass roof. This enabled passers-by to stroll through the various shops, sheltered from the elements, while enjoying the zenithal lighting provided by the special “covering” - a roof combining glass and metal.
The capital's best-known passages
Some of the capital's best-known passages include :
- La galerie de la Madeleine, on Place Madeleine. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Passage Verdeau, in the Grands Boulevards district, a continuation of Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; weekends, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
- Passage Choiseul in the 2nd arrondissement is open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Here you'll find the Bouffes Parisiennes theater.
- Passage Brady, also known as Little India. It features a glass roof on one side, and an open sky on the other. Little India is a tasty invitation to travel, with its many Indian, Mauritian and Pakistani restaurants
The covered passages are a unique opportunity to spend an original vacation in Paris and discover its architectural wealth, other than the well-known historical monuments. A unique experience full of surprises.
Recommended itinerary from your Paris hotel
From the Provinces Opéra hotel, you'll have easy access to most of the covered passages. Here's a route you can take from your hotel. Start with the Passage des Panoramas, at 11 boulevard Montmartre (just a 10-minute walk from your Paris Opéra hotel). This was the first covered passageway in Paris, built in 1799. You'll be amazed by its antique decor, and you'll also discover a number of art boutiques.
The way to the Galerie Vivienne
Exit at rue Vivienne, and at number 6, take the Galerie Vivienne path. This is one of the most luxurious passages, with a Jean-Paul Gaultier boutique. Finally, on rue des Petits-Champs, you can end your stroll in style in the unique Passage Colbert. As this passage belongs to the Bibliothèque Nationale, you won't find stores here, but rather institutes (such as the Institut National du Patrimoine).
Did you know that the covered passages of Paris were built from the 19th century onwards, mainly on the right bank of the Seine? They were the shopping malls of the day. Haussmann's works and the construction of the Grands Magasins led to their major disappearance. However, some passages near your Paris hotel have survived. Take advantage of your Paris vacation to visit them!
Even more covered passages!
If you have the time, be sure to visit other iconic Parisian covered passageways:
- Galerie Véro-Dodat ;
- Passage du Grand-Cerf ;
- Passage du Caire…
These places steeped in history will transport you back to 19th-century Paris. For lovers of Art Nouveau, certain passages such as the Passage Jouffroy offer fine examples of this architectural style.
The tour starts from your hotel, not far from the Grands Boulevards. On your marks, get set, book!
