The Passage is one of the best places to visit in Paris.
The name is one you may have heard before, but when you actually visit it, it is very different from what you imagined it to be.
Once you step inside, you even feel as if you have been transported back to the 19th century.
There are around 20 passages in Paris, but the one introduced here is in the 9th arrondissement, the busiest of them all.
It is also within walking distance of the Opera area, so access is not a problem.
It is also covered, making it very enjoyable even in bad weather.
This is a must-visit spot during your stay in Paris.
Now let me introduce you to some of them.
What is Passage?
Passages can simply be described as covered loopholes or shopping streets.
The first passages in Paris are said to have been created in 1784 during the redevelopment of the Palais-Royal.
The great popularity of the passages in the Palais-Royal led to the creation of many more in Paris, especially on the Right Bank.
Passage Feydeau, created in 1791, is said to be the first passage outside the Palais-Royal.
Passages, which were busy in the 19th century, have largely disappeared due to the influence of department stores, etc., and today only a dozen or so are said to remain.
Passage Verdeau
Passage Verdeau
Address：6 Rue de la Grange Batelière, 75009 Paris, France
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 07:30~21:00 Saturday, Sunday: 07:30~20:30
Passage built in 1847.
Many antique shops with paintings and old books are clustered here.
The ceiling is made to look like fish bones.
Enter from rue du Faubourg Montmartre.
The entrance is not very large, so you might walk past it if you don’t walk consciously.
The area around the entrance looks a little dimly lit.
Lots of shops line both sides.
The atmosphere of the floor and ceiling gives a sense of history.
It is a very nice art gallery.
The Passage also has cafés and restaurants.
There are many art galleries in the Passage.
This is a second-hand bookshop.
The photographic shop at the back is over 100 years old and has been operating at this location since 1901.
This is the entrance on the Grange Batoulière street side.
Passage Verdeau is a good passage for those who want to take a leisurely stroll, as it is not busy with many people.
Passage Jouffroy
Passage Jouffroy
Address：10-12 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:30~19:30 Sunday 10:00~19:00
Passage Jouffroy, built in 1836.
The street is named after Félix de Jouffroy-Gonsans, who was the owner of the building.
This is the busiest street of the three passages presented here.
The street stretches for 140 metres and is crowded with many shops.
It is also famous for the Grevin Museum and the Hôtel Chopin.
Following Passage Verdeau, this is the entrance on the Rue des Granges Batoulières side.
A large canopy lets in so much light that it’s easy to forget that it’s a passage.
The shop is called PARIS EST UNE PHOTO.
Charming paintings and old posters are available for sale.
It may also make a good souvenir.
Librairie Gribaudo Vandamme is a second-hand bookshop.
There is a €5 corner, which is quite enjoyable.
Many people stop at second-hand bookshops.
The area is crowded with many people, from locals to tourists.
Turn left at the end of the bookshop and you will come to a staircase, at the end of which is the Grevin Museum.
Hotel Chopin is on the left.
There is also a clock on top of the hotel.
The scenery around here is really lovely.
The street becomes a straight line again, followed by a beautiful canopy.
It’s an old-fashioned toy shop.
This is Le Valentin, a recommended café.
It is a tourist attraction, but they make a good cup of tea.
La Maison du Roy is a shop with gorgeous antiques.
Marks and Spencer is also available.
The long passages are over in a flash.
This photo was taken from the direction of the entrance/exit.
The floor marble is well maintained and very beautiful.
Entrance/exit on rue Montmartre.
The Montmartre street side is crowded with many people.
Passage des Panoramas
Passage des Panoramas
Address：11 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris, France
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 06:00~00:00
One of the oldest existing passages is the Passage des Panoramas.
The Passage, opened in 1800, appears to have originally been the gateway to the Duchess of Luxembourg.
Entrance/exit for Montmartre Street.
This passage has many restaurants.
Chairs and tables are arranged in a narrow street.
This shop also has tables and chairs lined up in the aisles.
FrenchParadox – Canard & Champagne has a slightly trendy, casual atmosphere.
When you come to the middle of the Passage, it is much brighter.
As expected, there are fewer pedestrians, probably due to the large number of restaurants.
There is a crossroads on the way.
There are no people here.
We visited in the evening and got the impression that there were very few people.
It will be crowded at night.
The end of the passage is divided into several entrances and exits.
Entrance/exit on St Mark’s Street.
The view is a little disappointing, with rubbish and other objects placed on the ground.
Summary
We have introduced three passages in the 9th arrondissement of Paris.
Historically, the oldest is the Passage des Panoramas, but it is dominated by eating and drinking establishments and lacks another attraction as a tourist attraction.
Floors and interiors were not well maintained.
In the middle, Passage Jouffroy is the most recommended passage as it is very spectacular and crowded with lots of shops and people.
The other Passage Verdeau was less crowded but nicely maintained and therefore very pleasant to walk through.
This is a good passage for those who want to walk slowly and leisurely.
If you have time, we recommend walking around and seeing all the passages, but if you have limited time, please visit just Passage Jouffroy in the middle.
You will find a different Paris to the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre.
Thank you again for reading to the end of this issue.
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