As I sit in my window looking out a cool rainy winter day in my Morbihan breton , I can’t help thinking of my walks in Paris. As said, Paris is an outdoor living museum, like no other, and by far the most beautiful city in the World. I did and do a lot of walking in Paris, if feeling tired then took the bus above ground Paris is glorious. Some of these walks made me realize further the beauty of the city, in its history, architectures and facts. One of these pleasant walks took me to see the passage du Grand Cerf or covered walkway of Paris seldom seen and full of charm. I like to tell you about it, and hope you enjoy the post as I.
In 1825, the House of the Taxi of the Grand Cerf, which was the terminus of the Royal Couriers, was demolished. The opening date of the passage remains unclear. It was probably opened in 1835. The style of the canopy is however of a later period. The history of the Passage du Grand Cerf is closely linked to the history of the neighborhood ( quartier) Saint-Denis which was in 1830 the most popular and industrious of Paris where there were small factories and workshops. Its height, 11.80 meters, the highest in Paris, and a lenght of 113 meters was the most important of all the Parisian passages. It’s partially metallic structure allowed building two levels of fully glass facade. The house only starts from the third floor. Thus, it was said that this Passage was more intended for production and handicrafts than for the luxury and sale of its products.
The passage of the Grand Cerf, connects the 145, rue de Saint Denis to 8, rue Dussoubs, in the 2éme arrondissement of Paris, in the neighborhood or quartier of Bonne-Nouvelle. The name of the passage refers to the old sign of a hotel, the Grand Cerf Hotel. This hotel, which belonged to the Hospices administration, is also across the passage of the Bourg-l’Abbé which faces it, in rue Saint-Denis, was inaugurated in April 1828 and ,however, a guide dated 1831 indicates that the passage of the Grand-Cerf is still under construction…The passage was built on the location of the Terminus house of the Grand Cerf where the Royal stagecoaches brought the courier destined for the east of France. The current architecture of the passage makes it rather go back to the year 1845 than 1825. This is actually the year where this passage was covered by a large canopy. The use of metal structures made it possible to situate it at a high height and thus to raised large glass surfaces in height, at the level of the interior facades of the shops.The decoration is in neoclassical style, the metal walkways and the woodwork showcases bring a chic and sober side, two floors of skylights illuminate the passage. The shops of the passage of the Grand Cerf are mainly those of designers and creators (jewelers, furniture.etc..). It was necessary to invest to maintain it and finally the Public Assistance plans to sell it. After failure to sell it , it was finally sold in 1985. This allowed to restore it and rebuild it identically by 1990.
A sequence of the film by Louis Malle ,Zazie dans le Métro (in the metro/subway/tube ) was shot in 1960 in the passage. Anne Français (1909-1995), painter, lived at 4, passage du Grand-Cerf. The birthplace of the French politician, Léon Blum is located next to the passage, at number 151, formerly number 243. An episode of the series Les Cinq Derniére Minutes (the last five minutes), with Jacques Debary, was shot in the passage du Grand Cerf. The TV show Un Coeur sur Mesure ( a custom-made heart), is first broadcast on 25 July 1981. The crime takes place in a tailor shop located in the gallery.
It is located at 145, rue Saint-Denis – 8, rue Dussoubs with access on Metro Etienne Marcel line 4 or Bus 29, arrêt/stop Etienne Marcel.
The Paris tourist office on the passage du Grand Cerf :https://en.parisinfo.com/paris-museum-monument/100255/Passage-du-Grand-Cerf
The passages and galleries site on the Passage du Grand Cerf :http://passagesetgaleries.fr/passage-grand-cerf/
There you go folks, a wonderful walk, shop;eat in quant beautiful eternal Paris , Take your curiosity to the limit and see this wonderful passage du Grand Cerf Again, hope you enjoy the post as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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