Paris has many covered passages and the most famous one is undoubtedly Galerie Vivienne, built in 1823 in the 2nd arrondissement and listed as a historical monument in 1974.
Due to its unique location this gallery (first named as Marchoux) attracted many visitors with its elegant boutiques and fine restaurants, but lost some of the appeal in the early 1900s when luxury stores moved towards Champs-Elysées and Madeleine.
After a renovation in 1960 followed by the inauguration of Jean-Paul Gaultier´s store the gallery recovered its prestigious and nowadays this hidden gem holds exclusive shops, antique bookstores, art galleries and nice bistrots.
The combination of a superb mosaic-tiled floors, hand-carved windows, crystal candelabras and a magnificent glass dome makes it the finest and most sophisticated shopping gallery in Paris.
There are 3 entrances, but the main one (still discreet) is on Rue Vivienne and it can be easily missed on your first visit. Speaking of it, once in this area I suggest a short walk to Place des Victoires and also to the gardens of Palais Royal. Three examples of cozy and quiet spots far from the crowd, but still in the heart of Paris.
- Where: 6 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris, France
- How much: free admission
- Metro: Palais Royal (lines 1 and 7)
Bisous 
Carol
