Description

An unusual, mysterious, and original discovery awaits you in the enchanting setting of Paris's covered arcades. Immerse yourself in the Paris of Honoré de Balzac. A truly unique exploration of the covered arcades of Paris. Relive the atmosphere of Honoré de Balzac's Paris.<br><br> The tour of Paris's covered passages will begin in a magical place: the Palais-Royal, the birthplace of covered arcades in Paris. Then we'll walk through a magnificent gallery of gold and marble, the setting for numerous films, including "La Banquière" starring Romy Schneider. We'll discuss the small trades practiced in these Parisian covered passages, which once housed curious shops such as the master glovemaker and perfumer.<br><br> We will pass under the Galerie Vivienne. This unusual covered passage was the scene of intrigues of the formidable François Vidocq, who was instrumental in establishing identity politics and the criminal investigation department in Paris. We will continue into the Galerie Colbert, with its magnificent Pompeian decor, which belongs to the renowned National Library of France.<br><br> We will leave the Palais-Royal district to discover other covered passages in the Grands Boulevards district: the Passage des Panoramas, which had very original circular painted views; the Passage Jouffroy, where the very special Hôtel Chopin is located, with the secret entrance to the Grévin wax museum.<br><br> The visit will end with the Verdeau passage, a meeting place for collectors of old postcards of old Paris and photographs of movie stars.<br><br> Not to be missed under any circumstances, let yourself be tempted by this guided tour of the covered passages in Paris, a very Parisian and original invention copied in the provinces and taken up all over the world from Prague to Moscow with the famous covered department store GUM.<br><br> <b>Please note:<br> The exact meeting place and the guide's contact details will be provided on your tickets after purchase.</b><br> Meeting point: Place du Palais Royal in front of the Council of State.