Audio GuidePassage des Panoramas
One of the first covered passages in Paris, this 1799 walkway features shops & ornate architecture.
Point Of Interest
Paris, France
Welcome to Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris's oldest covered passageways. Opened in seventeen ninety-nine by Jean-Louis Girard, this sheltered arcade was built to offer shoppers light and order on narrow, crowded streets. Today, you stroll beneath its glazed roof and admire ornate decorative details that echo its vibrant past.
In its early days, the passage was adorned with breathtaking panoramic paintings in two large rotundas. These artworks once displayed scenes of Paris from the Tuileries and other famous cityscapes, a true marvel of cultural innovation. At the same time, American inventor Robert Fulton captivated French officials by showcasing his revolutionary inventions, including a steamboat and a submarine. His exhibits added an exciting blend of technology and art that defined the era.
As decades passed, Passage des Panoramas evolved. What began as a hub for luxury trade and fine art became a center for stamp and postcard dealers, engravers, and dining establishments. The original shopfronts, with their intricate woodwork and mirrors, created a charming, intimate atmosphere that still lives on today in places like the historic Caffè Stern.
This passage invites twenty-five to forty-year-old visitors to experience over two centuries of Parisian history and innovation in a lively setting that balances tradition with modern commerce.
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