IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Travel Nav

Hidden passageways of Paris

By

Follow us on

Read more

Galeries Lafayette, Paris Shopping à la Parisienne

The city is a true shopper’s paradise

Best of Travel

  • Paris, Galerie Vivienne, shopping
  • Galerie Vivienne, shopping, Paris
  • Galerie Colbert, shopping, Paris
  • Passage de Choiseul, Paris, shopping
  • Passages des Panoramas, Paris, shopping
  • Passage Jouffroy, Paris, shopping
  • Passage Verdeau, Paris, shopping
  • Jardin du Palais Royal, shopping, Paris
  • Paris, Galerie Vivienne, shopping
    Hidden passages

    In the early 19th Century, Paris saw the creation of the precursor to the modern shopping centre. By the time time Napoleon was exiled in 1815, a network of covered passageways snaked through the city’s Right Bank, acting as places where wealthy Parisians could get out of the cold to socialise, dine and of course, shop.

    Only 18 of the original 150 arcades remain, but many such as Galerie Vivienne (pictured) have been refurbished to their original glory and are beautiful places to pop into for un verre de vin (a glass of wine). The usually narrow doorways to the arcades belie the grand interior spaces that await, and the entrances -- some more well marked than others -- can be hard to find, but once inside you will be transported back through time. (Katie Beck)

Hidden passages

In the early 19th Century, Paris saw the creation of the precursor to the modern shopping centre. By the time time Napoleon was exiled in 1815, a network of covered passageways snaked through the city’s Right Bank, acting as places where wealthy Parisians could get out of the cold to socialise, dine and of course, shop.

Only 18 of the original 150 arcades remain, but many such as Galerie Vivienne (pictured) have been refurbished to their original glory and are beautiful places to pop into for un verre de vin (a glass of wine). The usually narrow doorways to the arcades belie the grand interior spaces that await, and the entrances -- some more well marked than others -- can be hard to find, but once inside you will be transported back through time. (Katie Beck)

Latest articles and features

BBC Travel content is produced in partnership with Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet is a unit of BBC Worldwide. The information supplied by BBC and its partners was accurate at the time of publication. BBC accepts no responsibility for any loss resulting from this information. Verify critical information before travel.

BBC © 2013 The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.