11 Of The Best Galeries In PARIS!

Paris offers so much to the tourist. The Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre are among the magnificent sights you might picture when you think of Paris. These iconic sights are incredible spectacles with detailed histories and will wow any tourist.

However, what else lies in the heart of this city?

Passage du Grand Cerf

The Galeries of Paris (or covered passageways) are part of a lesser known, 'hidden Paris' but to me they offer more of the true heart of this beautiful city. The covered passageways show Paris's history as well as how people in Paris live today. They offer jaw dropping splendour and architecture and are very well preserved.

Perfect to visit on a rainy day, darting between the showers, don't miss the Galeries of Paris.

When you do visit allow plenty of time as you will want to stop to admire and indulge your senses regularly along the way!

What are the Galeries of Paris?

The Galeries of Paris are predominantly 19th century built, very typically Parisian, covered passageways. They offer astounding architecture with most having glass roofs.

The majority of the passageways are in the vicinity of Grand Boulevards and in close proximity to one another. Today, approximately 20 of the Galeries still survive of around 150 originally built.

These precursors to modern day malls house shops, restaurants, tea rooms and more.

Below is information about 11 of the best Galeries still to be seen in Paris today.. I have attempted to list them more or less geographically but apologies where this has failed!

11 Of The Best Galeries Of Paris

PASSAGE VERDEAU

Passage Verdeau was built in 1847 and named after it's creator. It is a great place to start your exploration of these passages.

Passage Verdeau houses antiques dealers, bookshops, vintage postcard and stamp sellers among it's offerings. The spectacular glass roof is well maintained and designed to resemble fish bones.

Open: 0730 - 2100 hrs weekdays; 0730 - 2030 hrs weekends

Located at: 6 Rue de la Grange-Batelière

PASSAGE JOUFFROY

Passage Jouffroy was built in 1836. This passageway is made of marble paving with iron and glass architecture and is one of the most popular and most famous.

The popularity of Passage Jouffroy is perhaps understandable as it houses a range of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants while being brightly lit and colourful.

The Passage Jouffroy is also unusual as it contains a hotel, a nightclub and a museum.

A pleasure to walk through, the shops of the Passage Jouffroy add extra fascination with a walking stick shop, a miniature furniture store and vendor of antique decorations.

Contained within the passageway is the historic Salon des Miroirs, a former 19th century brasserie which, today, is only used for private hire and transforms into a club on Saturday nights.

Open: 0700 - 2130 hrs daily

Location: 10-12 Boulevard Montmartre

PASSAGE DES PANORAMAS

One of the oldest passages in Paris is the Passage des Panoramas which dates from 1799. Another popular spot, this Galerie is full of character.

The Passage des Panoramas houses many postcard, coin, autograph and old stamp collectors.

Within the passage are also multiple eateries and a historical chocolatier, the Marquis, which opened in 1818.

The Theatre des Varietes is located within Passage des Panoramas and was established here in 1807.

This working theatre is still active and programs regular comedies and concerts.

Open: daily until midnight

Location: 11 Boulevard Montmartre

PASSAGE BRADY

The Passage Brady was built in 1828 and today is often thought of as the Little India of Paris as it contains Indian and Eastern restaurants, exotic products and colourful outfits.

Passage Brady is also more unusual than others in being made of two parts - one covered with a glass roof and the other open air.

Open: 0930 - 2330 hrs Mon - Sat; 1800 - 2330 hrs Sundays

Location: 46 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis

PASSAGE DU CAIRE

The oldest of the covered passageways, built in 1798, is Passage du Caire.

The du Caire is also the longest and narrowest of all the remaining Galeries in Paris.

As with many of the other Galeries, the Passage du Caire has a large glass roof. Today it houses mainly clothing stores.

Open: 0700 - 1830 hrs Mon - Fri; Closed at weekends

Location: 2 Place du Caire

GALERIE COLBERT

Galerie Colbert differs from the others in that it is not a shopping Galerie but part of the national library.

Built in 1823 and containing marble columns and an interior rotunda with a magnificent glass dome, this peaceful location is worth visiting.

Security do stand at the entrances but the public are free to enter - they will just check your bags as you do arrive.

Noteworthy at the entrace to Galerie Colbert is the Grand Colbert Brasserie which is famous for it's art deco interior.

Open: daily other than bank holidays

Location: 4 Rue Vivienne

GALERIE VIVIENNE

A popular spot with tourists is the Galerie Vivienne.

Built in 1823, the Galerie Vivienne is located near Palais Royale and has been called one of the most iconic of the passageways in Paris.

Unfortunately the Galerie Vivienne was under some renovation when I visited but it was still possible to see whey this passageway holds the popularity it does. With mosaic flooring and an impressive glass roof the Vivienne houses more upmarket establishments including clothing boutiques, gourmet food shops, wine cellars, tea rooms, book shops and more!

Galerie Vivienne does have several entrances so ensure you check where you have exited when you leave!

Open: 0830 - 2030 daily

Location: 4 Rue des Petits-Champs

GALERIE VERO-DODAT

The Galerie Vero-Dodat is smaller and quieter than the others but still worth visiting.

Based near the Louvre, this passageway has a black and white marble pattern flooring and was the first of the Galeries in Paris to have gas lighting.

The Galerie here was located near a large stagecoach company and lost a lot of businesses when stagecoaches went into decline. Despite this, Vero-Dodat still offers some elegant boutiques selling art, musical instruments, furnishings and more.

Open: 0700 - 2200 hrs Mon to Sat; Closed Sunday

Location: 19 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau

PASSAGE DU GRAND CERF

The Passage du Grand Cerf, built in 1825, is another stunner!

The 12 metre high Galerie, made with metal and wrought iron is a spectacular sight with a wide glass roof that allows light to flood in.

Passage du Grand Cerf is colourful and fun to visit with bunting flowing along the passageway. Shops here include craft stores selling wools and fabrics, lighting and other gems.

Open: 0830 - 2030 hrs Mon to Sat; Closed Sunday

Location: 145 Rue Saint Denis

PASSAGE MOLIERE

Passage Moliere is a fully open-air passageway with a cobble-stoned floor. The store fronts are all very colourful but many were closed down on my visit.

This historical lane was created after the Theatre Moliere was built in 1791, fronting onto Rue Saint Martin and needed access to the stage door and rear of the theatre.

The theatre went into slow decline in the 19th century and was sold on as a private property. The City of Paris purchased the building in the 1970s but by then little of the original theatre remained. Luckily the Passage Moliere does still exist!

Open: year round

Location: 82 Rue Quincampoix

GALERIES LAFAYETTE

Not technically a hidden passageway, but given the title of 'Galeries' I felt it acceptable to include here!

Galeries Lafayette Paris Hausmann is a Paris icon and vast department store.

Created in 1893 as a small shop selling novelty goods its success grew and over time the business took over more of the surrounding building. In 1912 the store took on a new dimension as it opened as the flagship Galeries Lafayette with the internal magnificence we see today.

This massive store is very easy to get lost in and is now so vast it has it's own metro station!

The store contains an incredible domed ceiling at 43 metres high within the central hall, which on my visit was decorated spectacularly for Christmas.

Described as a Parisian fashion theatre, Galeries Lafayette contains very high end fashion designers and brands (over 3,500 in total!). With clothing, homewares, luggage, food all sold here, you will almost certainly find what you need but probably at prices to match the store's internal splendour!

Opening: 0930 - 2030 hrs Mon to Sat; 1100 - 2000 hrs Sunday

Location: 40 Boulevard Hausmann

This concludes the round-up of the 11 best Galeries in Paris. I love each of them in their unique way and do not think a trip to Paris should be complete without a visit to at least one or two!

Have you explored the Galeries of Paris?

What did you find?

**To make my travels possible and affordable I do so through international house-sitting, using both Trusted Housesitters and Kiwi Housesitters**