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