Top 9 Luxury Shopping Passage in Paris

Have you ever realized how amazing it was to  stroll through Paris, our dear city of lights, especially when the day get warmer like those current days. A sumptuous city full of surprises that we invite you to discover together ! Either contemporary  or classical passages will certainly raise your curiosity.  Are you visiting the city on the occasion of your destination wedding in Paris ? You might find some inspiration for planning your visit.

By the 1850s there were approximately 150 covered passages in Paris but this decreased greatly as a result of Haussmann’s renovation of Paris. Only a couple of dozen passage in Paris remains in the 21st Century, most of them are on the Right Bank of the seine river. Mostly pedestrianized; glass-ceilings; often artificially illuminated at night; privately owned; highly ornamented and decorated; lined with small shops on the ground floor; connecting two streets !  

I have hand picked my favorite luxury passages for you, and we might be able to organise a private tour for your out of town guests. Enjoy your week end and let us know your thoughts ! Article Picture comes from here.

1. PASSAGE DU GRAND CERF, 145 rue Saint-Denis, Paris, 75002

We could only start with that passage,  as the reindeer is a very dear animal to us ! It is worth to take a look for the quality of its architecture. Built in 1825, With a height of around 12 meters, it is the tallest of all the Parisian passages. Its metal structure made it possible to build two fully glazed façade levels. It was residential from the third floor up. Just up the road of Turbigo (in the hipster/trendy Montorgueil district), you will stroll and discover beautiful handicrafts boutiques such as jewelry, design, furniture and even knitting and lamp shops…

2. GALLERIE VIVIENNE, 4 rue des Petits-Champs, Paris, 75002

The most luxurious covered passage built in 1823, The gallery has been registered as a historical monument since 7 July 1974.  next door to the Palais-Royal is one of the most iconic covered passages, with a Jean-Paul Gaultier ready-to-wear shop.  176 meters (577 feet) long and 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide of the zenith light which brighten the beautiful age mosaic, the refined -luxury boutiques rise. Walk in the Galerie Vivienne since you will enjoy a peaceful moment in a magnificent-out-of-time setting. Located near the Métro station Bourse, the gallery has entrances from the rue des Petits-Champs, rue de la Banque and rue Vivienne.

3. GALERIE VERO- DODAT, 19 rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau 75001 Paris 

The Galerie Véro-Dodat has an ideal location. It is close to the Louvre, and, it is one of the district’s rare covered arcades. It is not particularly long, but this is compensated by the sense of perspective given by the black and white diamond-shaped marble paving. The parts of the ceiling that are not glass are decorated with beautiful engravings. A real haven of peace, full of Parisian charm, the Galerie Véro-Dodat has a few surprises in store for its clients. It houses many elegant boutiques: furnishings, decorations, art gallery, musical instruments.  There are a variety of places to eat: the Véro-Dodat restaurant, a brasserie, etc. And fashionistas swarm the Christian Louboutin workshop-boutique, the luxury footwear shop at the entrance to the arcade (Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau). 

4. PASSAGE DES PRINCES, 5 boulevard des Italiens, Paris, 75002

The Passage des Princes is the latest of all the XIX century Paris covered passages. It is close to the Garnier Opéra, and is also an example of the style usually named after baron Haussmann, the Paris perfect who radically transformed the city. The passage opens in one of the Haussmannien wide straight boulevards. Considered as the the “toy’s village” or the kid’s kingdom, the passage des Princes has become a mall entirely dedicated to toys. Such a delight for children and adults who have kept their child soul The second access is located on street de Richelieu, 97.

5. PASSAGE DES PANORAMAS, 11 boulevard Montmartre, Paris, 75002

It is one of the earliest venues of the Parisian philatelic trade, and it was one of the first covered commercial passageways in the Europe. Bazars in the Orient had roofed commercial passageways centuries earlier but the Passage de Panoramas innovated in having glazed roofing and, later on, in 1817, gas lights for illumination. It was an ancestor of the city gallerias of the 19th century and the covered suburban and city shopping malls of the 20th century. Many antique dealer established themselves in the passage and attract ancient books ans post card lovers.

6. PASSAGE VERDEAU, 6 rue de la Grange-Batelière, Paris, 75003

Between la Grange-Batelière street and the Faubourg Montmartre street, the Verdeau passage is in the line with the passage des Panoramas. The Passage Verdeau, in the Grands Boulevards district, takes the name of its creator. Built in 1847, it is one of the most charming covered arcades in the capital. It is the continuation of two other well known arcades: Les Panoramas and Jouffroy. These sites are great for enjoying an original walk. A number of antiques dealers and unique shops (old books, postcards, collectors’ cameras, etc.) have set up in the Passage Verdeau. Visitors’ eyes are caught by the beautiful shop fronts bathed in light thanks to the high glass roof designed to look like fish bones. The second entrance to the covered arcade is at 31 bis rue du Faubourg Montmartre.

7. GALLERIE DE LA MADELEINE,  9 place de la Madeleine 75008 Paris

Strolling about the very chic place de la Madeleine, in the 8th arrondissement, you will discover the Galerie de la Madeleine. The construction of this covered arcade is linked to that of the Place and the church with the same name, and dates back to the 19th century. With a very elegant architecture, two beautiful cariatydes decorate the main entrance, it houses numerous luxury retailers and food shops enable visitors to take a tasty break. You can also access it via 30 Rue Boissy d’Anglas.

8. GALLERIE COLBERT, 4 rue Vivienne 75002 Paris 

Built in 1823, Galerie Colbert is a short walk from its main rival, Galerie Vivienne. This pretty covered arcade belongs to the Bibliothèque Nationale, and unlike other Parisian arcades, there are no shops here. Orientated towards culture, it houses the Institut Nationale d’Histoire de l’Art (INHA) and the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP). However, it is open to the public to discover the magnificent rotunda topped with a glass dome. The art nouveau style brasserie, Le Grand Colbert, is listed as a historical monument often used for cinema and is situated at the entrance to the arcade.

9. GALERIE DE VALOIS, 2 place colette,  75008 PARIS

The area between the Louvre & Opéra, the Palais-Royal and its stunning gallery are classic shopping spots. Vintage haute couture at Didier Ludot,  with his famous  black dresses, oppulent windows  at Marc jacobs, Rick Owens and Stella McCartney.  The beautiful gardens of the Palais-Royal are bordered with the Montpensier & Valois galleries, which are full of renowned designers. Dresses are colorful at Jérôme L’Huillier. François Hénin, the proprietor of Jovoy perfumes, has chosen rue de Castiglione to give a new showcase to his extraordinary perfumes. As for shoe fans, they rush to Jimmy Choo, Pierre Hardy and Christian Louboutin with his new men’s boutique. Trendy brands such as  Kitsuné or Maje with its clothes and accessories, have also chosen this district to show off their collections.