Some of the most visited passages are just off the Boulevard Poissonnière, not far from the Opéra Garnier and the major department stores Galleries Lafayette and Printemps.

The Passage des Panoramas is one of the oldest passages in Paris, built in 1800 on the site of the Hôtel Montmorency-Luxembourg. It featured a panorama painting on the walls of the rotunda. While the panoramas no longer exist, the name persists.

The Passage des Panoramas links the Boulevard Montmartre and the Rue Saint-Marc, in the 2nd arrondissement. It was also famous in history as one of the first places in Paris to use gas lighting, in about 1816.

Originally known for its gourmet food shops and other gastronomy, today the Passage des Panoramas still includes a number of restaurants and bars. In addition, it is best known for its dealers of stamps, postcards, and photographs.

By contrast, the Passage Jouffroy is one of the latest passages, built in 1845-1846. It is across the Boulevard Poissonnière (9th arrondissement) from the Passage des Panoramas and was intended as an extension of it.

It's known for providing a unique place to stay, the Hotel Chopin, which also opened in 1846. Definitely a central location!

It's also home to the Musée Grévin, one of the oldest wax museums in Europe, which features characters from throughout French history and the present day, in a beautiful old theater-style building.

Today the Passage Jouffroy offers a combination of book stores, jewelers, gourmet food, clothing, gifts, posters, and more. It's a charming place to wander.

Busy day in the Passage Jouffroy.

And it's connected to the Passage Verdeau, similar though designed by a different architect. It's popular with shops selling antiques, books, old photos and posters, as well as galleries and restaurants.

Down the street toward the Boulevard des Italiens, and just off of the Rue de Richelieu is the small Passage des Princes (2nd arrondissement), which is full of toy stores and other items for children. This was the latest of the 19th century passages (1860) and has enjoyed a renaissance in the past decade or so.

Métro: Grands Boulevards, Richelieu-Drouot
RER: Auber

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