Paris1972-Versailles2003

Ok so as told not a shopping expert but indulge on it with my family and friends when going out in Paris or coming for a visit. One of the places I take them is the passages of Paris!!! I have written before on them, but this is a more detail review with short introductions to each. Again, this is on my black and white series, no pictures. Therefore, let me tell you a bit more on the passages de Paris !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.

Paris is full of secret places, testimonies of the history of the city. Discovering them helps to better understand the past of it. Take the covered passages of Paris, for example. In the 19C, thanks to Baron Haussmann’s grand urban transformation plan, the capital had more than 70! Their goal was to protect the wealthy population from the mud and the bustle of the streets by offering them passageways protected from the weather by beautiful glass roofs and bringing together many shops and restaurants in one and the same place.

First, what is a passage? Well best describe as a private lane open to the public, a shortcut between several lanes, whether it is covered or not. A pedestrian space, the passage can house both commerce and housing. Only the abundant decoration and the luxury of the shops differentiate a gallery from a passage. Today, the covered passages and their timeless charm have won back the hearts of Parisians who crowd alongside those that have been tastefully restored, sulking those disfigured by the lack of maintenance or the multiplication of stalls without elegance. . While many of them have disappeared as the city has evolved, many other passages have survive.

The ancestor of today’s shopping centers, the unique charm of Parisian covered passages will immediately transport you back to the 19C.  Typically, the covered passages of Paris form galleries pierced through buildings or built at the same time as them. These galleries are covered by a glass roof offering overhead lighting which gives them a special light.  Almost all of the covered passages are on the right bank of the Seine, within the limits of Paris before its extension in 1860, mainly near the Grands Boulevards, that is to say in areas draining customers. easy at the time of their construction, Most of the covered passages were built in the first half of the 19C, in order to shelter a wealthy clientele from inclement weather and usually offer a variety of shops. Haussmann’s work, which opened up neighborhoods by piercing large avenues, and competition from department stores led to the disappearance of most of the passages.

Passage Vendôme (3éme arrondissement). It is now almost abandoned. This does not prevent it from being part of the list of passages classified as historical monuments.

Passage Molière (3éme arrondissement). Its peculiarity can be found in the building numbers which follow an anti-clockwise progression. Uncommon !

Passage des Princes (2éme arrondissement). In this passage which is the last one to be built in Paris during the Haussmann era as open in 1860. Before it was one here called the Mirés; the toy store closed in 2022 ,and it is now temporarly closed.

Galerie de la Madeleine (8éme arrondissement). A small, quiet place located near a passage where it is pleasant to have a drink. A sentimental favorite as when worked nearby stop here for a drink many times!

The list does not end above , there are more still accessible to the public. These are the passage du Prado (10éme arrondissement), the passage du Havre (9éme arrondissement ,off gare st lazare and very much visited), the passage Puteaux (8éme arrondissement), the passage Sainte-Anne (2éme arrondissement), the passage du Ponceau (2éme arrondissement ), the passage of Bourg-l’Abbé (2éme arrondissement), the passage Ben Aïad (2éme arrondissement) , and the passage of Deux-Pavillons (1éme arrondissement).

Unfortunately, there have been several who have closed their doors such as the passage Alfred-Stevens, the Cour Batave, the Galerie Bergère (completely destroyed), the Galerie Boufflers, the Galerie de la Bourse , the passage de la Ville-l’Évêque, the Galerie Montesquieu , and the passage du Trocadéro.

The city of Paris going outs on the passages: https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-visit-in-paris/history-heritage/guides/172520-discover-paris-most-beautiful-covered-passageways

The Paris tourist office on shopping districts: https://parisjetaime.com/eng/parisian-life/shopping/shopping-districts-paris-i061

The Association of passages et galeries of Paris : http://passagesetgaleries.fr/passages-parisiens/

There you go folks, hope you find it helpful for your next shopping trip to Paris. Or just browse these wonders of architecture in the most beautiful city in the world, Paris. Again, hope you enjoy this post on the passages de Paris !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!