Le Passage du Grand Cerf (Big Deer Passage) is found just off Rue St. Denis in the neighborhood of Montorgueil. Designed in the 19th Century to protect pedestrians from mud and horse-drawn carriages, this elegant passage has been restored to its original grandeur. There are at least five of these passages clustered between Rue Etienne Marcel and Rue Réamur and others a short walk away.
Grand Cerf is distinctive in the height of the windows at 11.8m (almost 39 feet), the highest in Paris, and the unique offerings along the corridor. You will find handcrafted pearl jewelry, artists' workshops, interesting gifts, and recovered objects that have been restored. If you are left with a rainy, cold day in Paris these "shopping arcades" are a great option. Here is a link (en français) for all the passages, descriptions, and locations in Paris.
Note: You need to be attentive as many of the entrances are almost hidden from the main streets.
Le Passage du Grand Cerf
145, rue St Denis
Métro Etienne Marcel
According to what I've read, there used to be hundreds of passages in Paris. Now there are only 20.
ReplyDeletenice blog...n follow u
ReplyDeleteplease do the same thing .
Big Deer Passage! I love it! ;) This is gorgeous, love all of the fairy lights! I would gladly spend a rainy (or sunny) day here! XX!
ReplyDeleteMot du Jour - déçu
ReplyDeleteJu suis déçu that I missed this pasage!
V
So many beautiful places to see in Paris. Love the patterns on the floor.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love les passages de Paris—and this one is beautiful. I worked in the Passage Choiseul and my boss lived "over the store." You could walk along a very narrow strip way at the top, just under the glass roof (don't ask me how I know this).
ReplyDeletei love the image of a horse drawn carriage making its way down this lovely corridor!
ReplyDeleteMy mother and I would walk through many Paris passages, but mostly in winter, that is when you really appreciate them. By the way, you may like to look at a blog on Paris that gives you a different perspective: http://analienparisienne.wordpress.com/. Karin leaves in Paris right now and talks about her life there.
ReplyDeleteHello Genie, just found your lovely blog- added you to my blogroll not to miss any!so happy for now I will have my daily update of my favorite place/country. Husband leaves on business trip for Paris in three days and due to previous commitment I cannot join him- cannot describe the disappointed! I asked him to send a pic daily...now I have yours as well.
ReplyDeletexo Colette
Yes, would love to make Paris my second home, or third, but the idea is intimidating because the actual living part would be so overwhelming... One day I will visit and see how that works out. I was once briefly there when two friends and I hitched to the Isle de st. Marguerite from GB in the 1950s! Your header pic is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow! I want to see it for real!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and following me. Your blog looks great and I'm going to follow you too;o)
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Have a happy weekend*******
Starman -- Can't wait to see your photos and read the stories since you are THERE right now!
ReplyDeleteAsadisae -- Merci beaucoup
Shari -- There are so many of these, many of which are almost hidden from view.
Virginia -- You may have missed this one but I know that you have been to others.
Kate -- And I think that when these passages are refurbished, the floors are brought back to their original look
Alexa, Alexa, Alexa -- We simply must get together as you are a kindred kind with many stories to tell. What an adventurer!
Such wonderful photos of Paris you have. Seems like many of the women from Alabama/Birmingham are attracted to Paris. Your photos make me want to go back for a visit NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting Greensboro Daily Photo. I can assure you the "Guy Noir" photo was "of the moment," and not staged.
What a wonderful idea to protect pedestrians -- and how enterprising of them to put shops along the way for entertainment!!
ReplyDeleteAmanda -- I think that the idea was that these passages were built to keep the horse-drawn carriages from splashing mud on the pedestrians. Je crois...
ReplyDeleteVagabond -- Merci, and I have already met the internet acquaintance of Karin and Paris Paul, and I look forward to meeting them on my next visit.
Colette -- Love your blog which I had not discovered! Yes, I can imagine the disappointment of being left behind and would throw a major hissy fit (a southern temper tantrum) if I could not go!
Margaret -- I bet that the "hitching to St. Marguerite" story is a good one! There are many expats (from many countries) living in France and although the reviews are mixed I would love to give it a try also!
Cildemer -- You are close enough to get there, lucky you! I'm looking forward to your stories and photos.
Greensboro -- You are right, and there are several very close to me in Pensacola and Mobile. Love your Guy Noir photo and so glad that you had your camera with you!
Very beautiful, Genie. I can see myself taking my mosey way along the corridors, widow shopping, stopping in here or there to make a purchase. Our malls, in comparison, seem so crass.
ReplyDeleteLiz
Liz -- You are absolutely correct about our malls. We do have some nice boutiques in some areas but our general mode is Target. Tant pis pour nous.
ReplyDeleteAh, takes me back in time. It's been too long, since I walked the streets of Paris.
ReplyDeleteA friend of mine returned from Rue St Denis Thursday just gone and loved it.
ReplyDeleteEvelyn -- I think that if you have not been in two months that it has been "too long." Thanks for your comments!
ReplyDeleteJulie -- Can't wait to see more photos of your trip!
Oh, this is too good. Another Genie is following Genie. I was named for my French daddy...Eugene Marseilles Hornot. I have alway spelled Genie with a G. and you are the only other person I have come across in m7 71 years who spells it that way. This building and its architecture is magnificent...that is the only word to do it justice. I’ve been to Paris twice and absolutely adore it. Sadly, I did not visit this “inside promenade.” I bet the shop are divine. The light filled ceiling ,the wood on the doors, and the marble or tile whichever is out of this world. It was such fun to end my day meeting another Genie.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too love these passages...so Parisian...
ReplyDeleteMagnificent, Genie. I'm sure I could happily become lost in those passages for days on end...
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ReplyDeleteBibi and Shell -- In two or three of the boutiques along this passage I found little Parisian dogs attentively waiting to greet the occasional shopper.
ReplyDeleteI bet this is equally as beautiful in the night as it is in the day time. Love the floor.
ReplyDeleteRandy -- Interesting to think about. I think that it would be beautiful at night but don't know that it is open or locked? Hummm... going to find out.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember seeing this passage before. Hopefully I see it this trip. I like the floor and ceiling
ReplyDeleteMagical and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJames -- Find it and others on a map before you head out on foot as they are often hidden.
ReplyDeleteSara Louise -- With all the glass windows and little lights... for sure!
Love the parisian passages
ReplyDeleteAh hah! I must say I'm a bit of a Paris passages freak too - my favourite is... Passage Jouffroy! Do you know it?
ReplyDeleteMélanie -- Moi aussi!
ReplyDeleteSab -- I love them as well and will have to check out Passage Jouffroy on my next visit. I did look it up for the location.