3 charming covered passages in Paris

When the sky turns grey and it starts raining, you do not have to put your sightseeing plans on hold. Seeking shelter inside the historic covered passages in Paris (known locally as les passages couverts) is easily one of the best Paris rainy day activities. Built during the 19th century under soaring glass-and-iron roofs to shelter affluent shoppers from mud and horse traffic, fewer than thirty of these magical arcades still stand today.

Around the Grands Boulevards district, three historic arcades connect almost seamlessly in a straight line, creating the perfect self-guided walking tour. You can escape the busy streets, leave the modern rush behind, and enjoy the slow pace of vintage Parisian life as you wander from one arcade to the next.

1. Passage Verdeau

Among the three arcades on this route, Passage Verdeau is the quietest and most tranquil. Built in 1847 as an extension of Passage Jouffroy, it sits just steps from the famous Drouot auction house, which explains why so many antique dealers have set up shop here.

The high glass canopy illuminates a treasure trove of antiquarian bookshops, vintage photograph dealers, and old postcard stalls that make you feel like you stepped back fifty years in time. If you love rummaging through vintage ephemera, rare comic books, or antique cameras, this is your paradise. When you exit its southern end at Rue de la Grange-Batelière, you stand directly across the street from the entrance to Passage Jouffroy.

2. Passage Jouffroy

Cross Rue de la Grange-Batelière and you enter Passage Jouffroy, one of the most vibrant and popular covered passages in Paris. Built in 1845, it was the very first arcade in Paris constructed entirely of metal and glass, as well as the first to feature underfloor heating.

This bustling gallery is packed with specialty shops and historic highlights:

• Secondhand bookshops with discount print bins right outside their doors
• The grand entrance and gift boutique of the Musée Grévin wax museum
• Charming toy stores stocked with traditional wooden puzzles and dollhouse miniatures
• Old-world tea salons and pastry counters like Le Valentin
• The historic Hôtel Chopin, tucked right into the bend of the corridor

While many of the specialty goods lean upscale, you can regularly find bargains at the open-air bookstalls. Once you reach the southern end, you step out onto the busy Boulevard Montmartre.

3. Passage des Panoramas

Directly across Boulevard Montmartre from Passage Jouffroy sits Passage des Panoramas. Built in 1799, it is widely recognized as the first covered shopping passage in Paris.

Without a doubt, Passage des Panoramas is my favorite covered passage in Paris thanks to its lively collection of cozy bistros, wine bars, and vintage signs. Warm overhead lanterns illuminate stamp collectors, print merchants, and bustling dining spots serving food at reasonable prices. The modest street facade does not give away the magic inside, but taking a seat here for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine will brighten any cloudy Paris afternoon.

Practical Information:

• Walking Route: For the smoothest walk, start at the north end of Passage Verdeau (Rue du Faubourg Montmartre), cross south through Passage Jouffroy, and finish inside Passage des Panoramas.
• Metro: Richelieu – Drouot (Lines 8 and 9) or Grands Boulevards (Lines 8 and 9)
• Opening Hours: The passages are generally open daily from around 6:00 AM or 7:30 AM until roughly 10:00 PM or midnight, though independent antique boutiques and bookstores frequently close on Sundays.

Map:

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