Passage des Panoramas

Located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris, a stone's throw from the Musée Grévin, the Passage des Panoramas stretches its Belle Époque galleries between boulevard Montmartre to the north and rue Saint-Marc to the south. Whether you're a lover of 19th-century town planning, a gourmet, a window shopper or just a stroller, this is a magnificent piece of Paris's architectural heritage.

A shortcut to history

The Passage des Panoramas is considered to be one of the oldest Parisian passages. Built in 1800 on the site of the former Hôtel de Montmorency, it owes its name to two towers 17m in diameter and 20m high.

Shortly after acquiring the hotel, William Thayer, an American shipowner and promoter, opened a covered passageway lined with shops between the rotundas and used the interior to display two 360° painted canvases, one depicting a general view of Paris, the other the evacuation of Toulon by the English in 1793. The Passage des Panoramas was born. It was a shortcut between the Palais Royal district and the new districts that were beginning to be built beyond Boulevard Montmartre.

Despite the disappearance of the panoramas in 1831, the Passage kept its name and remained one of Parisians' favourite promenades. With its glass roofs and gas lighting from 1817 onwards (it was the first public space in the capital to be equipped with gas lighting), it inspired the shopping arcades of the 19th century and the covered shopping centres of the 20th century.

A temple to gastronomy

Protected from the dirt of 19th-century Parisian streets by its glass roof, the Passage des Panoramas was known from the outset for its food shops and upmarket boutiques.

More and more gourmet eateries are springing up all over the place, to suit all budgets and tastes, from traditional Parisian bistros** to over-the-top trattorias.

Be sure to take a look at number 47, where Caffè Stern has set up shop in the only premises whose interior design has remained unchanged since the passage was built.

Autograph hunters beware: just a few steps away at number 17, you'll find the artists' entrance to the théâtre des Variétés, where you might be lucky enough to meet the actors you've just seen perform!

You can also take the opportunity to enter the Musée Grevin, across the street.