Paris Passageways!

 

Imagine Paris back in the 1800’s before paved streets and sewers.

 

Where did people, especially the wealthy, go to do their shopping and to dine?

 

To the covered Passageways that provided warm, dry and appealing places to browse, eat and pick up the latest fashion trends.

 

It took my dear friend Martinn who lives in Paris to point this out to me.

 

“You don’t know about the passageways?” she asked me incredulously.

 

I had perhaps stumbled into one traipsing around the city on my regular visits, but without giving it much purposeful thought.

 

This is why Martinn seemed surprised, as Parisians take their historical heritage very very seriously, and decided that I was in dire need of a properly guided tour.

 

 

 

 

At the height of popularity, there were 150 covered passageways in Paris.

 

However, with the advent of department stores, many fell into disrepair and were torn down.

 

Only about 18 remain and those have been meticulously updated and renovated.

 

Each has its own history and personality.

 

 

Galerie Vivienne in the 2nd arrondissement was built in 1823 and falls into the category of “très élégante.”

 

It is 176 metres long (577 ft) with high vaulted archways, chandeliers, mosaic-tiled floors, and stores brimming with wine, cheese fashion, antiques, and home furnishings.

 

 

 

 

Galerie Vero Dodat (1st arrondissement) is also high-end with a long corridor of restored paneling, painted frescoes on the ceilings, stunning shops where almost the cheapest item could cost a month’s salary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really enjoyed strolling through Passage des Panoramas (2nd arrondissement) which is the oldest of the covered passageways in Paris.

 

With its various restaurants and “sidewalk” settings where people can gather, it exudes a lively warmth the first two do not have.

 

 

 

I adored the Passage Jouffroy (9th arrondissement).

 

Its shops offer a sense of whimsy, and it also houses the Hotel Chopin, the oldest hotel in Paris which has been running since the “passage” was created in 1846.

 

 

 

 

 

I have the others to explore and discover, and with all of Paris’ outward beauty, the covered passageways are just another of those special draws that reveal themselves like a beautifully wrapped gift and never fail to delight!

 

Let me know your favourites!

 

PLEASE comment at the bottom of the blog!

 

I love to hear from you!

 

PS. Thank you Martinn for the tour! You can find out more about Martinn and her apartment (adorable!) that she rents (month-long rentals or more)  in Paris by clicking HERE!

 

 

Paris Pot Pourri!

 

Have you caught up with the third season of Emily In Paris on Netflix yet?

Better than the first two seasons in my opinion.

Her wardrobe knows no bounds in “millennial chic”,  still awful

(“amusant” — not in a good way)

–and completely impractical for Paris weather!

But Emily’s and the other characters’ love interests are as dreamy as ever,

and French actress Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu (58) rocks it on the Riviera

in an itsy bitsy teenie weenie bikini,

and with her new boyfriend who people think is her son.

 

 

Women of Global Interest Interview Series

 

It’s this Wednesday! It’s Free!  Do NOT Miss It!

 

There is still time to sign up for my interview with the inimitable Debbie Travis!

“Finding JOY In Every Chapter of Life

WEDNESDAY, January 19^th, 2022  

12:30 pm EST/9:30 am Pacific/6:30 pm Paris/5;30 pm London

(This one is FREE! So you can register “tout de suite” by CLICKING HERE!)

 

 

*I am giving away two of Debbie’s books but if you can’t wait for that CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE. 

 

About Debbie Travis

TV Personality Debbie Travis practically invented DIY Decorating and Interior Design TV with her award-winning programs that included Debbie Travis’s Painted House, and Debbie Travis’ Facelift on HGTV.

She has also launched her own line of products everything from paint to olive oil and wine, and has just signed a deal with Giant Tiger!

Still, constantly reinventing herself, in 2016, Debbie started holding retreats inspiring women to envision and fulfill their dreams in her renovated Tuscan villa and 100-acre property.

A prolific author of 12 books, including Design Your Next Chapter, Debbie recently published, JOY, Life Lessons From A Tuscan Villa.

Please join me to talk about her new book, and to get to the heart of this remarkable woman of a certain age and how she continues to design new chapters of her own life!   

 

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