Paris - Passage

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The passages of Paris

Paris’s historic pedestrian passages are a walk back in time to the 19th century, in the footsteps of the architects and decorators who created these covered galleries, bathed in sunlight by glazed roofs. At the same time they’re a rich, constantly renewed urban environment where you can soak up the daily life of today’s Parisians. There were once more than a hundred passages; today, several remain in the 2nd arrondissement, where locals still use them for their intended purpose, as a place to shop out of the wind and wet.

Passage du Bourg-l’Abbé

Between 120, rue Saint-Denis, and 3, rue de Palestro, 2nd arr., metro Étienne-Marcel

Built in 1828, the Passage du Bourg-l’Abbé originally reached the Passage de l’Ancre, but the creation of Boulevard de Sébastopol shortened it by several metres. The superb, well-preserved entry on Rue de Palestro is decorated by two allegorical caryatids representing Industry and Commerce, with a shield decorated with a beehive, a symbol of economic activity in what was once a working-class area.

Passage du Caire

Between 2, place du Caire – 16, rue du Caire and 239, rue Saint-Denis, 2nd arr., metro Sentier

Opened in 1798, the Passage du Caire owes its name to the craze for all things Egyptian that followed Napoleon’s expedition in the same year. The decoration follows the same theme, with the façade on Place du Caire graced with three magnificent statues of the goddess Hathor. At the heart of the Sentier area, the passage connects three galleries (Saint-Denis, Sainte-Foy, and du Caire).

Passage Choiseul

Between 40, rue des Petits Champs and 23, rue Saint-Augustin, 2nd arr., metro Opéra

Of all of Paris’s passages, Passage Choiseul best captures the spirit of the street, joining two rows of houses with a peaked glass roof. Built in 1825, it is one of the few passages that have not been altered since their construction, and the two canopies over its main entrances are still well preserved.

Passage du Grand-Cerf

Between 145, rue Saint-Denis and 8, rue Dussoubs, 2nd arr., metro Réaumur-Sébastopol

The Passage du Grand-Cerf, located in the Saint-Denis district, has the highest glass roof of any of Paris’s passages. Its opening date is uncertain – probably around 1835 – and the glass roof was installed later. Saint-Denis was then the most industrious district in Paris, and the crafts and handmade wares produced in the passage show it. Redesigned in 1990, the Passage du Grand-Cerf is today one of the most luxurious in the city.

Passage des Panoramas

Between 11-13, boulevard Montmartre and 151, rue Montmartre, 2nd arr., metro Grands Boulevards

This passage takes its name from the panoramas that an American shipping company owner installed in the two towers he had built on Boulevard Montmartre in 1799. He had the passage built to protect his clients from the rain. Its rotundas were demolished in 1831, and galleries were added in 1834. The most richly decorated part of the passage is the Boulevard Montmartre end.

Passage du Ponceau

Between 212, rue Saint-Denis and 119, boulevard de Sébastopol, 2nd arr., metro Strasbourg–Saint-Denis

Built in 1826, the Passage du Ponceau was shortened in 1854 when Boulevard de Sébastopol was built. This removed its main architectural decorations, as was the case with many of the Sentier area’s passages.

Passage des Princes

Between 5, boulevard des Italiens and 97, rue de Richelieu, 2nd arr., metro Richelieu-Drouot

Topped with a magnificent glass roof since 1860, the Passage des Princes was the last to be created during the Haussmann period. Located in a very pleasant setting, the passage is decorated with a superb 1930s-era dome that splashes coloured light over the Boulevard des Italiens exit. The passage was fully restored a few years ago; it now houses toy stores.

 

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