Passage du Ponceau – Le Sentier district
The Passage du Ponceau is located in the Sentier area, part of the Bonne-Nouvelle district.
This 2.5-metre-wide passage connects No. 212 Rue Saint-Denis to No.111 Boulevard de Sébastopol and is one of the narrowest and shortest covered passages left in Paris.
It was built in 1826 and modified in 1854 for the construction of the Boulevard de Sébastopol during Haussmann‘s major renovation of Paris.
As a result, its glass roof, candelabras, and original decorative elements have disappeared.
Sadly, the truncated gallery remained abandoned for a long time, with only three shops and the caretaker’s lodge near the exit onto Boulevard de Sébastopol.
It then served as a warehouse for the neighbourhood’s textile wholesalers, and for decades, mostly provided a convenient shortcut between Rue Saint-Denis and Boulevard de Sébastopol.
Despite its small size and perhaps due to the limited number of shops, the Passage du Ponceau has managed to preserve its unique and old-world charm, thanks to its original ceilings and the finely sculpted columns that support the handful of shop windows.
Renaissance of the gallery
However, the Passage du Ponceau is experiencing a gradual revival, as evidenced by the recent opening of several fashion boutiques and restaurants.
These establishments have quickly become popular with the area’s office workers, thanks to their affordable and tasty menus and their location away from the hustle and bustle of the street.
Our favourite spot in the Passage du Ponceau used to be the caretaker’s lodge, which was always adorned with a multitude of flowerpots and plants. The caretaker, an elderly lady, warmly welcomed passersby with a radiant smile, but it now appears that she has retired.
Despite its unassuming appearance at first glance, I encourage you to explore the Passage du Ponceau. You will indeed discover a hidden gem of Paris, unknown to most tourists.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday – 8am to 7pm – Closed on Saturday and Sunday – Free access
Directions: 2nd district – no212 Rue Saint-Denis – no119 Boulevard de Sébastopol
Metro: Réaumur-Sébastopol on Lines 3, 4
Coordinates: Lat 48.867693 – Long 2.351753
