The covered passages of Paris

An innovative architectural type in the 19th century, the covered passage was the result of a perfect correlation between the conception of the city, the rise of the luxury goods trade and a new type of social life. Multi-purpose, it was intended as much for circulation as for all manners of amusement. Among the forty-odd passages which enhanced the French capital from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, only seventeen still fulfil their initial function. All are situated on the right bank of the Seine. They can be explored district by district, following an itinerary based on a topographical and chronological sequence.

Founded in 1999, the association "Passages et Galeries" undertakes various operations promoting the protection, knowledge and development of these sites which are particularly interesting from the point of view of urbanism, architecture and commerce. Head office: 30 Rue Boissy-d'Anglas - 75008 Paris - Tel: 01 44 71 02 48

The "Itinéraires" series, designed as a guide for cultural tourism, invites the visitor to discover the highroads and byways of the French national heritage.

History The birth of a model 4

Speculative and commercial motives 8

A classical and innovative architecture 14

Bustling activity 26

Changes in uses 30

Visit Around the Palais-Royal Galerie Véro-Dodat 37

Galerie Vivienne 39

Galerie Colbert 42

Passage Choiseul 44

On the grands boulevards Passage des Panoramas 45

Passage Jouffroy 48

Passage Verdeau 51

Passage des Princes 52

From Rue Saint-Denis to Place de la République Passage du Grand-Cerf 53

Passage du Bourg-l'Abbé 54

Passage du Caire 55

Passage du Ponceau 56

Passage du Prado 57

Passage Brady 60

Passage Vendôme 61

Around La Madeleine Passage Puteaux 62

Galerie de la Madeleine 63