They knew how to keep the charm of secret places. The winter period – and the sometimes gloomy weather – which goes with it is also an opportunity to discover or rediscover the galleries of Paris, places that are all the more magical as you approach the end of year celebrations.
Here is a non-exhaustive selection of covered passageseach having its own particularities and history. Enough to feast your eyes and travel back in time, while enjoying the shops and restaurants located there.
The Galerie Vivienne, designed to be the most beautiful
Inaugurated in 1826 under the leadership of Maître Marchoux, president of the Chamber of Notaries, the Vivienne Gallery was intended to be, from the beginning, one of the most beautiful covered passages in Paris. The architect François-Jacques Delannoy enhanced this space with pilasters, arches and cornices decorated with symbols evoking wealth, commerce and prosperity. It is possible to access it, in the 2nd arrondissement, via 4 rue des Petits Champs, 5-7 rue de La Banque, and 6 rue Vivienne. The mosaic floor is signed Giandomenico Facchina.
Ready-to-wear, decoration, tea room and gastronomy, grocery store… Nearly 50 stores welcome some 6 million visitors each year. The latter will particularly stop to admire the monumental staircase at 13 of the gallery, where Eugène-François Vidocq in 1840, or to spend a relaxed and indulgent moment in the tea room A Priori Tea.
Passage des Panoramas, popular attractions
Neighbor of Grévin museum a you Variety Theaterthe passage of Panoramas is the oldest and one of the most remarkable covered passages in Paris. Built at the instigation of the American shipowner and developer William Thayer, it takes its name from the large 360° painted panoramic canvases which were exhibited in its roundhouses.
With his 133 meters long three meters wide, it has several entrances in the 2nd arrondissement, at 11-13 boulevard Montmartre, 38 rue Vivienne and 151 rue Montmartre.
To see, in particular, the boutique Sterna famous Alsatian engraver dating from the beginning of the 19th century, as well as the “L’Arbre à Cannelle” tea room, with its preserved coffered ceiling and decorative elements from the former chocolatier Marquis. It is possible to continue via the Verdeau gallery.
The Véro-Dodat Gallery, built by two entrepreneurs
The Gallery Véro-Add Eastaccessible by 19, rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau and 2, rue du Bouloi, in the 1st arrondissement. Inaugurated in 1826, it is the result of the association between two visionary entrepreneurs, the butcher Véro and the financier Dodat. Their ambition was to create a covered passage connecting two dynamic districts of the time, the Palace Royal and the Halles. It is possible to discover theLouboutin workshop-boutiquethen have lunch at the Véro-Dodat brewery.
Less known than other Parisian galleries, it stands out for its refinement. Black and white marble floors, its copper and cast iron ornaments, and the delicate light filtering through its glass roof bear witness to this.
The Passage of Cairo, the fascination of Egypt
Originally named “passage of the Cairo Fair”, it owes its name to the fascination withEgypt who followedthe Egyptian campaign in 1798. This passage consists of galleries Saint-Denis, Sainte-Foy and the Cairo gallery. Its unique architecture is characterized by small houses aligned along narrow alleys. The bays are punctuated by pilasters of a specific style, mixing Doric and Egyptian.
Located in the heart of the district of Pathit is an essential meeting place for professionals and wholesalers in the ready-to-wear. The Cairo Passagelocated in the 2nd arrondissement of Parisis accessible via several entrances, namely Place du Caire, Rue du Caire, Rue Saint-Denis and Rue d’Alexandrie.
The Passage du Grand Cerf, the highest gallery
The Passage du Grand-Cerflocated in the 2nd arrondissement, at 145 rue Saint-Denis, is also accessible from 10 rue Dussoubs. It is the highest passage in Paris, with a height of 12 meters. Its partially metallic structure allowed the creation of two entirely glazed facade levels, while the dwellings only begin on the third floor. Artisanal production was dominant there. In neoclassical style, the site was rehabilitated in 1990.
