THE COVERED PASSAGES

Depicting a Paris of the past, the Passages Couverts were the symbol of Paris during the first half of the 19th century. During this visit you will discover the different reasons which led to build this multitude of more singular passages, each one more unique than the other. Indeed, before the great works of Hausmann Baron, Paris counted more than two hundred passages. True shopping malls, these majestic covered passages were filled with activity. The bourgeoisie liked to stroll and borrow these galleries which were a real communicating network. They had the advantage of not using the largely insanitary streets of the time. However, although they have been radiated and been very busy for about half a century, these covered passages experienced an ephemeral golden age. Very quickly, they competed by the appearance of “department stores”, symbols of the first globalization in court in that time.

In what context did this decline take place? what happened to these dozens of passages in the heart of the capital? Your guide will reveal the secrets of these covered galleries. Having been forgotten for certain for more than a century, many of them were then taken over by communities and thus specialized. You will discover the famous Brady Passage, which is today the heart of the Indo-Pakistani community in Paris. The visit will also take the tortuous passage of Cairo located in the Sentier district and which still hosts the majority of the textile industries of Paris today.

Finally, the visit will end with a visit to the most majestic passages, including the passage of Bourg l’Abbé renowned for housing the oldest carpenter in Paris or the passage of the Grand-Cerf and its multitude of designer shops. Although they have been forgotten for many years, these covered passages are gradually returning to their former charms and activities. Indeed, many of them have been restored and more and more artisan and other shops have resettled in these galleries. This visit is an opportunity to better understand the ancient but also current history of its passages. Designed for young and old alike, it will allow you to immerse yourself in the diversity of the capital’s covered passages.