The heavens decided to open up while we were in the vicinity of Rue des Petits-Champs in Paris after many, many hours in the Louvre and a wonderful souffle lunch at – where else but – Le Souffle! So we ducked into the Galerie Vivienne, one of the historic ‘Passages Couverts’ in Paris.Galerie Vivienne – 4 Rue Petits Champs
Built specifically to shelter shoppers from bad weather, these covered passages ensured a genteel shopping experience to wealthy clients. Most had two or more entrances, so their carriages could drop off shoppers at one, and pick them up at the other so as to ensure minimum exertion! Aah the life of privilege.
Of the 140 or so pedestrian passages that existed in Paris in the early 1900’s, only 20 such passages remain. The Galerie Vivienne is one of the most beautifully restored, with gorgeous glass roofs, mosaic floors, smart cafes and elegant shops! It was a Sunday, unfortunately, and most of the shops were closed. But a delightful cup of tea at “A priori thé“ while we waited out the sun, was just the break we needed, before we took off again into the rain washed streets of Paris.
The Urge To Wander 
I love all the patterns you have photographed.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Glad you do Francine 🙂
It is so wise to save something from the past, and these are beautiful. I learned something new today, Madhu!
It is 🙂 Thank you for your feedback!
Excellent work for this week theme 🙂
Thank you Jake! Your prompt was too tempting 🙂
Hi,
That is just magnificent, so beautiful, I love the architecture of the walkway, you just don’t see anything like that today, you have captured the atmosphere of the place beautifully in your photos.
Thank you very much!
Lovely images and post.
Thank you SKEdazzles!
I missed this place when I went to Paris almost five years ago. Well, in fact I’ve never heard of this place before. But somehow it reminds me of Galerie de la Reine in Brussels!
There are around 20 of these Bama, each with a different atmosphere. I hope to explore more of them on my next visit. Thank you for reading!
Love the pictures! Did you know I spent a semester abroad living in Paris? I was 21 and wow, it was such an amazing experience! I really love Paris —-it is my favorite city in the world! Thanks for bringing me back!
Mine too! If all goes according to plan I should be back there with my daughter next year! Keeping my fingers crossed 🙂
That would be really great! I’m hoping to venture that way soon myself. We’ll see !
Beautiful! Reminds me of the Galleria in Milan. And I love the mosiac floors…
Appreciate the visit and comment Debbie! Hope to see you around.
What a beautiful place! Even the name. It’s wonderful to see this place through your eyes. Thanks!
Thank you Angeline 🙂
After London, Paris is my favourite city. I can’t say I’ve been to Gallerie Vivienne though – looks luuuuuuvley. 🙂
Thank you so much Stuart! Paris is my favourite city too 🙂 Appreciate the visit!
Totally restive and gorgeous, what joy to land here for a little while.
The perfect place to rest sore feet in Paris 🙂 Thank you so much for the visit and comment!
Oh wow! That is so amazing! Every time I look at your photo’s you take me there. Thanks for the awesome virtual tour hon. 🙂
*big hugs*
You are most welcome Sonel 🙂 Thank YOU for your kind words!
I can’t think of a better place to duck in out of the rain. Beautiful! I love the first picture (love them all!)
e.
Me neither 🙂 Thank you so much for Elisa!
Beautiful. A souffle in Paris! Fabulous! Especially after a long look around the Louvre. I love the mosaics in this and was that a painted Japanese screen or a bonsai?
Neither! That was a Japanese style arrangement! It was just so beautiful. The souffles too 🙂
Your photos are exquisite, I really enjoyed this post
Hi Jim! Thank you so much for reading my post and for your very kind comments.
How very elegant, Madhu. Love everything you’ve showed us. 😉
My pleasure AD! Thank you for your visit and comment!
Hi Madhu, this is not only beautiful photography–love the light and patterns–but I love the story and history. Another great post!
You make me feel good Naomi 🙂 Thank you so much!
It looks so nice there. Is there a limit on how long one can hang out there?
In the Tea shop? Perhaps. You are free to wander around in the galerie anywhere.
:-]
It is a beautfully thought out space… wish we had the same attitude in the world today. Sigh! 🙂
I wish! For me, this definitely beats a glitzy mall hands down!
Same… I agree!
These photos are stunning! Thank you for transporting me (if only temporarily) to a delightfully romantic and enchanting experience. 🙂
My pleasure entirely 🙂 Thank YOU for the visit and kind comments!
Fabulous Madhu, I’ve been to some of these ‘passages’ but before I had a decent camera so its great to see your shots!
Thank you so much Gilly!
Great shots. I’m heading to Paris this June and I can’t wait!
Lucky you!
I love your photos.
Here is an award for you.
http://blueberriejournal.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/versatile-blogger-award/
Congratulations to you too! And thank you for sharing it with me! Truly honoured 🙂
Wonderful pictures. You made me wish to go to Paris 🙂
Delighted that you liked it Julia! Appreciate the feedback!
I love the mosaic flooring. Thanks for the post, Madhu! I have yet to visit Paris.
I did too! It has been faithfully restored. You will visit Paris some day, if you really want it bad enough! Of that I have no doubt! Take care.
very appropriate since it gave you ‘shelter’. I love that name: A priori thé
The French somehow manage to make the most mundane things sound oh so romantic 🙂
What a beauty!!!! 🙂
Yes! I believe this one is the most beautiful. The Galerie Colbert – next door – has a very beautiful dome!
I’ve travelled quite a bit and still reckon in Europe, Paris is the most alluring. But some of my friends say there is much promise in eastern European cities – Prague, Budapest, Bucharest…plan to get around there…
Paris is my favourite city of all! But yes those Eastern European cities do sound very promising and are very high on our bucket list! Thank you for stopping by to comment Eric! Hope to see you around 🙂
Amazing architectural and artistic details. So rich, full of inspiration. Thanks for sharing them.
Thank you! You are most welcome!
Enchanting indeed 🙂
Glad you think so too! Welcome to my blog and hope to see you around 🙂
What a lovely way to wait out the rain as so many others have done for years. Thank you for sharing your photos.
You are most welcome Karen! Appreciate the visit and comment.
From the looks of it I could easily spend a long afternoon lounging through the halls of Galerie Vivienne. Wonderful shots!
Thank you Marcia 🙂
Wow, what an Amazing Place
DarkJade-
Gorgeous isn’t it? It is even more atmospheric on week days apparently.
Nice
DJ
What a nice place. Would be cool to have a floor like that.
Oh yes!! I didn’t have a blog then or I would have taken more detailed shots 🙂
The passages are marvellous, aren’t they? It might have been a shame these elegant shops weren’t open (though with hubby in tow, perhaps it wouldn’t have been such an exuberant exploration!) but the lack of shoppers has given you free rein to photograph the building itself (as opposed to a streetscape). And, a lovely shelter story. Beautiful, and great memory prompts for me, which has been lovely.
Happy to have refreshed fond memories! Shall return to those shops with the daughter next year, to drool if not to shop 🙂
Ah, yes, a much more appropriate shopping partner Madhu:)
We skipped Paris on our tour but right now, these lovely images will do. This is just as I picture Paris arcades in my mind, Madhu. 🙂
Btw, I grinned at that bit about the two shop entrances. Sooo spoiled those genteel shoppers, haha.
They sure lived well 🙂 Glad you liked this Tita! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Will add this to my list! We are going next month! Thanks for a great post!
There are several around that area. You could google to check out which ones you like and which are on your route for the day. Well worth a look see 🙂
Thanks for the tip!