Paris covered passages, small historical corridors
The covered passages of Paris are the survivors of a bygone era. Approximately 150 covered passages were built in Paris between the late 18th and mid-19th centuries. Considered precursors to modern shopping centres, they sprang up near centres of power and wealth, such as the Louvre Palace, the Madeleine Church and the Palais–Royal.
Many were also located near the Grands Boulevards and the termini of the stagecoaches, a very popular mode of transport at the time. These covered passages all featured magnificent clocks above their entrances to help travellers and customers keep track of time.
Primarily pedestrian and private, they were an immediate success. They indeed offered shelter from the elements and mud, as well as a safe haven from the dangers of horse-drawn carriages.
Many of these covered passages attracted upscale, cultural, and artistic businesses, while others catered to a more bourgeois clientele, housing establishments such as shoemakers, confectioners, haberdashers, tailors, and wine merchants, among others.
But they all became bustling hubs of activity, constantly drawing large crowds, not only for shopping but also for strolling and meeting friends in their many cafes and restaurants.
Paris covered passages, a perfect illustration of 19th century metal architecture
The covered passages are a superb illustration of 19th-century metal architecture, and also reflect the influence of Oriental aesthetics discovered during Napoleon‘s military campaigns in Egypt.
Inspired by Oriental souks, French architects of the time indeed skillfully blended traditional and Oriental architectural elements to innovate. Characterised by long corridors sheltered by glass roofs (sometimes partially covered), lined with three to four-storey terraced buildings, these shopping galleries exuded a unique charm thanks to their original layout and design.
On the ground floor, shops, restaurants, bookstores, theatres, and various businesses flourished, while the upper floors housed apartments and attics above the glass roofs. A sturdy metal structure supported the glass roofs, while the shops boasted a wealth of architectural and decorative features, such as carved woodwork, sculpted cast-iron pillars, plaster-work, bronze lamps, arched windows, and intricately worked floor mosaics. These passageways were also heated and lit by gas lamps, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
Each gallery possessed its own unique ambience and style, with architects and decorators employing their full creativity to design the most elegant and original layouts.
Revival of Paris covered shopping galleries
Today, Paris has fewer than 30 covered passages, 20 of which are listed as historical monuments and seven protected by the City of Paris.
Rediscovered by the Parisians in the 1970s, these passages have since experienced a revival, driven by a concerted effort from the City of Paris through a development program launched in 2002.
To preserve the rich historical and architectural heritage of these passages, owners received financial assistance covering 25% of restoration costs, provided they opened their establishments to the public. However, for safety reasons, some passages may be closed at night.
Renowned luxury boutiques, as well as bookstores, stamp shops, delicatessens and restaurants, have breathed new life into the 19th-century shops, investing in the preservation of their original architecture and decorative elements.
Affluent covered passages in the Quartier de la Madeleine
Nestled between the prestigious Champs-Elysées and the renowned Rue du Faubourg St-Honoré, the Quartier de la Madeleine embodies refinement and elegance. This exclusive neighbourhood is home to a multitude of prestigious private mansions, embassies, institutions, luxury boutiques, Haute Couture ateliers, and art galleries. It also boasts two covered passages, the opulent Galerie de la Madeleine and the unassuming Passage Puteaux.
Quartier Palais-Royal’s elegant covered passages
The Quartier du Palais-Royal developed in the 17th century beyond the medieval city walls.
The Avenue de l’Opéra marks its boundaries. To the west, a world of luxury, fashion, prestigious institutions, banks, and insurance companies lies in ther vicinity of La Madeleine Church.
The east, on the other hand, boasts a rich cultural identity, characterised by numerous art galleries and theatres, including the renowned Comédie Française.
This aristocratic district boasts several covered passages considered among the most prestigious in Paris:
Galerie Véro-Dodat, Palais Royal galleries, Passage des Deux Pavillons, Galerie Colbert and the affluent Galerie Vivienne.
Covered passages near the Grands Boulevards
At the end of the 17th century, Louis XIV established peace in Europe, putting an end to the wars and rendering the old ramparts of Paris obsolete. In their place, the king envisioned an elegant promenade lined with verdant trees. This grand thoroughfare, known as the Grand Cours later became the Grands Boulevards, lively avenues lined with theatres, cafes, cinemas, and performance venues. Several covered passages are located near this vibrant and bustling district, each possessing its own unique charm and appeal: Passage Choiseul, Passage des Princes, Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy and Passage Verdeau.
Near Porte St Denis, Porte St Martin and Place de la République
This district initially developed along the ramparts that King Charles V had built in the mid-15th century, to the south of the Porte Saint-Martin and Porte Saint-Denis.
This lively and dynamic district boasts a wide variety of performance venues catering to a broad audience in the vicinity of the bustling Rue Saint-Denis and Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis.
Thanks to its prime location, the district was ideally suited to the creation of covered passages such as the: Passage du Grand Cerf, Passage du Bourg l’Abbé, Passage Ponceau, Passage du Caire and Passage Brady.
The Place de la République delineates the eastern end of the Grands Boulevards.
Paris open-air passages
Paris also boasts numerous open-air arcades, each exuding its own unique charm and character.
While these may lack the elaborate decorations of covered passages, they nonetheless possess a picturesque appeal that evokes the Parisian charm of the 19th century.
Among the most famous are the Cour du Commerce St-André, in the lively Saint-Germain-des-Prés district, and the Passage Molière, nestled in the 3rd arrondissement.
Finally, all these covered passages and galleries are a must-visit when in Paris, and ideal places to escape from the rain.
