#secret_spots 🕵️‍♂️

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The arcades

The Parisian arcades began to be built in the early part of the century, for reasons of commerce and recreation. Back then, no one could imagine that the internal passageways of these buildings would be, after years, the most beautiful and modern sights of the city. Nowadays they have only survived 18 of the total 150 arcades of Paris. Most of them have been restaured reminding their old glory. With special personality, style and aesthetics, the Paris galleries are a great attraction for both locas and visitors.

It is a historic arcade of Paris, which is also listed on the long list of historical monuments of France.

Created in 1823 in order to serve the needs of the high society of Paris. It’s got a length of 176 meters and a width of 3 meters.

Today, some of the most famous restaurants and shops in Paris are housed in this arcade, as well as one of the finest cellars – bar à vin of the French capital, LEGRAND FILLES ET FILS.

In Vivienne Gallery, Jean-Paul Gautier opened his first sewing shop 👗 in 1986, which unfortunately closed in 2015.

Entrance: 4 rue des Petits-Champs, 5 rue de la Banque, 6 rue Vivienne

The Grand Cerf arcade is probably the most impressive arcade in Paris. It stands out for its very special architecture and its high-ceilinged glass ceiling of 12 meters. It was built on 1825 and it is about 117 meters long.

It is considered one of Paris’s most important shopping arcades and is definitely worth your visit.

Entrance: 145 rue Saint-Denis, 8 rue Dussoubs

 

Galerie Colbert is located in the 2nd arrondissement just a few meters away from Galerie Vivienne. It was built on 1826, at a time when the arcades in Paris were growing like mushrooms.

Even if it did not have the same success as Galerie Vivienne, yet it survived and still exists until today.

Inside this arcade you will find shops, restaurants and an extremely picturesque interior patio.

Another interesting arcade in Paris, also listed as historical monuments of France is the Brady gallery.

It’s got a length of 216 meters, which makes it one of the city’s largest arcades.

Contrary to the above galleries it is not so aristocratic, but it has a unique peculiarity. It hosts a little India in the heart of Paris .

In the Brady gallery you will find shops and restaurants of Indian and Pakistani origin and an atmosphere that points to bollywood.

Entrance: 43 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis

Moliere’s arcade is one of the oldest in Paris. It was built in 1751 and took its name from the Moliere Theater (later renamed to Maison de la Poesie), located next to it.
Passage Moliere is not closed but it is an open sky arcade.

On the 175 meters of the arcade you will find dozens of nice small shops, bistros and cafes.

Entrance: 82 rue Quincampoix, 157 rue Saint-Martin

The Cairo Gallery (passage du Caire) is the largest arcade in Paris, with length of over 360 meters. It has lost its old glamor and is no longer of special interest to the traveler.

It was inaugurated in 1798 during the campaign of Napoleon Bonaparte in Egypt, hence its name.

Inside the arcade you will find mainly wholesalers of fabrics.

Entrance: Place du Caire

The passage Choiseul is another picturesque arcade in Paris, which is considered a historic monument of France.

Inside the gallery you will find restaurants, shops and cafes. It is an ideal place for a simple meal and for cheap shopping.

Entrance: 40 rue des Petits-Champs, 23 rue Saint-Augustin

The Passafe Verdeau is located in the 9th arrondissement, and because of the “anti-touristic” location it is not often mentioned in travel guides.

Nonetheless, it is one of the beloved arcades of the locals that vibrates with life.

In the 75 meters of Verdeau arcade you will find cafés, restaurants and antiques shops.

Entrance: 6 rue de la Grange-Batelière, 31 rue du Faubourg-Montmartre

The Jouffroy arcade is perhaps the most popular arcade in Paris. It is located in the lower part of the 9th arrondissement, in an excellent commercial area of the city and  it is an extension of the Verdeau arcade 

Inside the arcade there are, among others, the Wax Museum of Paris (Musée Grevin), hôtel Chopin (from 1846), a classic Parisian hotel from another era and one of the most famous pâtisseries in Paris, the Salon de Thé le Valentin .

You have more than one good reason to visit this arcade.

Entrance: 10 boulevard Montmartre, 9 rue de la Grange-Batelière