Built in 1828, between the Passage du Grand Cerf and the Passage de l’Ancre, is Passage du Bourg l’Abbé. Most of the passages in Paris have a pitched ceiling with a rotunda at the centre. Not this one. This covered passage is a bit unique in that it’s a single stretch with a slight curve from one entryway to the other. Another interesting detail to look out for is the original and still working barometer and clock at opposite ends. There are not a lot of shops in this passage, except one very interesting one – Lulli & Sons, established in 1965 which is a woodworking shop.
The sculpteur, Ivan Lulli, invited me in for a tour. En français, he told me he is the last cabinetmaker or sculptor in central Paris. That he took over the business from his father and his pieces, both small and large projects, can be found in galleries in the city. His signature piece is a music note, which combines his other passion, music. Ivan is curious about me and in very broken French I reciprocate and share my love of Paris and travel. Merci Ivan, et à bientôt.
50 Comments
JoJo Hall
Paris has so many beautiful secret covered passages! What doesn’t Paris have, honestly? Loved all the detail and information, as always, on these hidden gems.
The.Holidaymaker
I have to agree, Paris does have it all!
Emma
The passageways of Paris are some of my favorite things to explore. All are so different. The lighting, the designs, the shops. The fact that some of them are always busy no matter when you visit and others you have to yourself even when most people would be dodging out of the rain. I’m back in Paris in a month so looking forward to exploring more of them when I’m there
The.Holidaymaker
I agree, they are all so different and make them fun to seek out each one.
Nicole
I stumbled on Passage Choiseul during my last visit to Paris and it was one of my favourite memories.
I always wondered why it was there and now knowing there are more in Paris, I’m going to make a day of just visiting those and shopping. It’s a shame that so many were destroyed.
The.Holidaymaker
Oh yes you will have to seek more of them out. They are all unique making it fun to see each one.
sammi swinton
This is such an interesting article! I would never have known any of this
The.Holidaymaker
So happy you found it interesting!
Shireen | The Happy Days Travels
These passages are so dreamy! They remind me so much of my home city, Cardiff, in Wales which is known as the ‘city of arcades’ especially Passage Choiseul and Passage du Grand Cerf. I like how you’ve split them into arrondissements, it makes it easier to navigate.
The.Holidaymaker
I will have to check out the ones in Cardiff, if I ever get the chance to travel there.
Lasma
A very lovely article and something new about Paris! i made 4! Vero Dodat, Passage, Vivienne and Panorama and simply love them, I added the others to my list for next time in Paris, I particularly like Passage Moliere! Thanks for sharing this
The.Holidaymaker
That’s amazing that you’ve been to those four and inspired you to visit more on that list for your next return trip to Paris.
simplyjolayne
Love this. We are headed to Paris at the end of the month and this will be a fun find to explore for one of our afternoons.
The.Holidaymaker
Fantastic, glad to hear you might try and seek these out. Enjoy your upcoming trip!
Umiko
The history of these passages are interesting. And I like how they built and turned them into beautiful architectures. I would like to walk and do window shopping here, and listening to the opera singers warming up their vocal cords at the Passages des deux Pavillons.
The.Holidaymaker
I was able to catch the opera singers and it just stops you in your tracks!
Travel A-Broads
Fascinating! I’ve been to Paris twice and had never heard of these secret covered passages before. I enjoyed reading about the history behind these in your post, and now, I want to plan another trip to do a bit of a scavenger hunt to find all of these! Thanks for sharing for future reference. Xx Sara
The.Holidaymaker
I’m so happy to share these off-the-beaten-path passages with you and hopefully, you have a chance to see them in the future.
Laureen Lund
This is awesome. Thank you for a post that isnt TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN PARIS. I love this so much. We will be in Paris twice in the next few months and I am going to follow this blog to as many of these as I can. I can’t wait!
The.Holidaymaker
How wonderful Laureen, so happy to hear you will use this article as a little inspiration for your upcoming trip.
Maria Veloso
I had no idea Paris had so many secret passages until just now, and how I wished I could pass through them when I visited. I’d want to walk around the Molière Passage and look at the colorful boutiques. Oh, and I’m also blown away by how old these structures are. I’m seeing Paris now in a different light!
The.Holidaymaker
So happy to hear it inspired you to check these out in a future trip to Paris.
Divyakshi
WOW! You have showed me another perspective of Paris and I cant help but drooooool over how pretty these passages are! The details you have captured are incredible. The flooring, the ceilings, the windows! The architecture lover in me is starry eyed seeing these. What a gorgeous ‘thing to see’ in Paris when it’s raining and its free:D Plus you get to see some really amazing boutiques. I’d love to do this when I am in Paris!
The.Holidaymaker
I too love architecture and just one of the reasons why I needed to seek out these arcades. Happy to hear you loved them just as much.
Lauren
This is such a brilliant guide! I feel like there’s so much of Paris I have yet to see. Saving this for my next trip there!
The.Holidaymaker
So happy to hear you will use this for planning your next trip to Paris.
Natascha
What a wonderful post! I absolutely love the Covered passages in Paris and have been to many of them myself! But I have not been to the Passages Jouffrouy &Verdeau, which looks fantastic! What time of the day did you go to get these pictures?
The.Holidaymaker
In most cases, I was there very early to avoid the crowds. Or I waited patiently for people to pass out of my frame. You’ll have to go to Passages Jouffrouy and Verdeau- they are always bustling with activity.
Tami
Ah, this brings back wonderful memories. My husband and I explored many of these covered passages on our last trip to Paris. They are so beautiful and many are filled with fun boutique stores to check out, too!
The.Holidaymaker
So happy to hear you’ve experienced them too!
Jason
These little passages are fantastic. They really speak out to me. I love architecture and construction so seeing how these passages are made and built, really excite me. The Passages des deux Pavillons, or the smallest in Paris looks so interesting. I really never knew there wa so many in Paris. We have them in my home city of Cardiff and always enjoy the shops.
The.Holidaymaker
If you love architecture, you will definitely want to visit these. The details are fantastic and to see how the glass roofs were constructed is amazing.
Chloe
AHHHH we are literally headed to paris next week!!! This just made me so excited! I had a few of these spots bookmarked already, but I just noted a few more! Thank you!!!!!
The.Holidaymaker
So happy that this information is so timely for you. Hope you like them as much as I do!
ashley
I had no idea this was a thing! They all look so beautiful and would be fun to shop around in. Some of the images reminded me of the Forks in Winnipeg!
The.Holidaymaker
I’ve been to the Forks in Winnipeg, small world! I can see the resemblance now that you say it!
Jill
I think you said it best – these covered passages look so charming! I love street shopping, but I think visiting a few of these passages would be worth it just to take a stroll through them and feel like i really did Paris properly! Thank you for sharing 🙂
The.Holidaymaker
So happy you liked these charming places in Paris. Thanks for stopping by.
Coralie
These covered passages are wonderful! They remind me a little of the beautifully ornate Victorian shopping arcades in Leeds which are packed with small independent shops and boutiques. I’d love to see the ones you’ve shared – just the kind of place I would enjoy wandering around!
The.Holidaymaker
Yes Coralie, I would imagine they are very similar to the arcades in the UK. Hope you get the chance to wander them one day.
Jenny
I had no idea there were so many. They all seem to have their own personality as well. Saved for my Paris visit.
The.Holidaymaker
Yes, you noticed that subtle detail too! Yes no two are alike which makes them fun to seek out.
Jackie
These are just fascinating! As soon as I saw Passage Choiseul, I was reminded of a similar arcade in – believe it or not – Providence, RI. That one is the “oldest mall” in America and clearly, it was modeled on these beautiful French arcades! I would love to stroll these charming covered passages for myself. What a wonderful way to shop (or photograph!) Paris.
The.Holidaymaker
Isn’t that funny that there is one that is similar in the US, it makes you want to inquire if indeed the Paris arcade was their inspriation.
Barry
I had no idea these covered passages existed, despite the many times I’ve been to Paris – I probably walked straight past them without knowing. The photos really show how brilliantly they are maintained and retain their majestic glory. These are places I would search out for the unique artisan work and to get away from the repetitive world brand shops.
Listening to local opera singers warming up in one of those passages would be a delight.
How lucky to get a tour by the owner of one of the stores, that is a unique experience and a personal insight into his craft.
My music friends in Paris never mentioned that Offenbach opened the Threatre des Bouffres Parisiens in one of the passages. I shall have to take them next time and impress them, not to mention Moliere and his theatre – I studied his works at school.
Beautiful pics that drew me in – it’s a collection of passages that would draw me in whenever I see one. I’ve only ever seen similar places in the “Arcades”, as they are called, in London.
The.Holidaymaker
Thank you Barry for your wonderful comment. Yes, you likely have walked right past them, as they are “secret” covered passages. Many are known, but there are others that are off the beaten path, but that’s part of the fun isn’t it. Going to places that are not yet discovered by everyone? Glad you enjoyed it and will share this with you Paris friends next time you are in the city.
Angela Santos
I’m definitely saving this post for later as I’m planning to travel to Paris soon! Thank you so much for the information!
The.Holidaymaker
Fantastic, so happy to hear that you found this information helpful!
Carolin
Those passages are all very pretty and chic. I can see now more of the Parisian glamour that is so often advertised with the city. Thank you for sharing those with us! I find these arcades interesting as they’ve been the pre-model for shopping malls in the past and still host a collection of local craftsmanship and individual stores. Those malls are hidden gems. Do you feel that they tend to be more exclusive and expensive?
The.Holidaymaker
It depends on which passageway you visit, they offer very exclusive shops, while others are much more accessible. What I do love about these shops is they are owned by independent persons who are passionate about their product or service they are providing. Not to mention the elegant details of the architecture you find here.