Exploring the Shopping Passages of Paris, France

For repeat visitors to the city of Paris who are tired of the usual tourist attractions, try exploring "les passages." The passages are a panoply of covered alleyways harboring everything from trendy boutiques to quirky specialty shops. These skylit pedestrian shopping halls recall the 1800s when unpaved Paris roads rife with horses created an unpleasant milieu for shopping, particularly when it rained. One passage after another sprang up, vying for shoppers' loyalties with their ever-increasing grandiosity. Today, some 2 dozen shopping passages remain, some with historic integrity, others completely refurbished for the modern era. A few are virtually abandoned.

Different passages will appeal to different tourists, depending on their shopping preferences. The following selection of passages and the wares sold there has general appeal for families.

Le Passage Jouffroy

The Jouffroy is located at 10-12 blvd. Montmartre and 9 rue de la Grange-Batclairère. It entices the youngest family shoppers with 3 toy stores and an artisan offering miniature collections of porcelain and metal animals. In the Jouffroy passage, shoppers will also encounter bookstores, a cane store, an embroiderer's shop and a boutique selling kimonos and other women's accessories. A particularly fascinating shop to browse is the shell gallery decorated top to bottom in sea shells.

Le Passage des Panoramas

Located at 10 rue St. Marc and 11 blvd. Montmartre, this passage is adjacent to the Jouffrey. It connects the grand boulevards and la Bourse (the Stock Exchange). This passage has a uniquely historical offering: Stern printers and engravers, operating in this location since the 1830s, still use their 19^th century equipment. This passage is a good place to shop for postcards.

Le Passage Verdeau

This passage is a book lovers paradise. Sandwiched between 6 rue de la Grange-Batelière and 31 rue du Faubourg- Montmartre, the Verdeau is also a source for old postcards and newspapers, tin soldiers, and amateur photography.

Le Passage Vero Dordat