Visits to Paris: secret passages and delicacies
A day of sightseeing in Paris ? Where to go ? What to do ? The Eiffel Tower, Beaubourg, the Champs Elysées, Montmartre, the Pantheon, Place de la Bastille, the Arc de Triomphe, Place Vendôme etc…
Of course, Paris is displayed as an open-air history lesson where illustrious characters have burned the boards, climbed the steps, beaten the pavement or familiarized themselves with the Seine.
A tailor-made one-day itinerary in Paris
It’s up to everyone to imagine their itinerary according to their interests or desires : Paris Express, literary Paris, Paris underground, Paris in the air, Paris Folies Bergères etc. Because the visits to Paris follow each other and are not alike.
Knowing Paris well for having lived and worked there in the past, it was difficult for me to content myself with appreciating the historical sites of the capital without tasting the novelty and the monuments of French pastry.
I had the idea of discovering places, shops and tastes that I did not know. A way to have a fresh look and a fresh palate.
A way to also be enthusiastic about finding this Old Lady with hidden charms. Thus was the red thread of my last escapade: the novelty ! A key watchword for a day of sightseeing in Paris like no other.
A secret day of sightseeing in Paris
First, nothing better than to start the visit around Les Hallesa place where many metro and RER lines converge.
Here is the route of about 4 kilometers with the following stages:
- The Centre Pompidou
- The Passage of the Anchor
- Passage of Bourg l’Abbé
- The Passage of the Great Deer
- Cairo crossing
- The Passage du Ponceau
- The Covered Market of the Red Children
- The Pierre Herme store
- Place des Vosges
- Place de la Bastille
Important information: the passages are closed on evenings and weekends.
Starting signal ! Direction the Centre Pompidou and its unique architecture that leaves no one indifferent. An unusual bar-restaurant dominates the museum and the city and has a pleasant terrace on sunny days: THE George. The rates are up to the view and the location.
The secret passages of the 2nd and 3rd arrondissement
Then take the green path Passage of the Anchor which begins at 221 rue Saint Martin and ends at 30 rue de Turbigo. It was here that the first carriages were made in the 17th century. There is also the store Pep’s, the only French shop to manufacture and restore umbrellas. The Passage of the Anchor: A passage through a long and fascinating history!
At 120 rue Saint Denis, the Passage Bourg l’Abbé connects the street of Palestro. A deserted and outdated atmosphere for this abandoned passage which dates from 1828. To discover here!
Then, go hunting for beautiful objects at Passage of the Great Deer! Under a triangular canopy, you will find decoration shops and craftsmen. 135 meters long starting at 145 rue Saint Denis by the restaurant “ The passage“.
African incursion in the heart of Paris! THE Cairo crossingone of the oldest in Paris, is located in the Sentier district. These are actually 3 connected galleries that make up the largest passage in the capital. Its name refers to the Napoleonic campaign in Egypt at the end of the 18th century. Entrances: 237 rue Saint Denis – 14, 34 and 44 rue du Caire – 2 Place du Caire – 33 rue d’Alexandrie.
THE Passage of the Ponceau like that of Cairo are not essential visits to Paris. It is only a question of continuing the route and of noting the diversity of the passages of the district. Abandoned, it seems abandoned and serves as a shortcut to reach Boulevard Sébastopol. From 212 rue Saint Denis to 119 bd de Sébastopol.
Visits in Paris: the gourmet Marais
You can then join the Covered Market of the Red Children by Rue Réaumur. Unless you prefer to linger at the Museums of Arts and Crafts. At 39 rue de Bretagne, in the Haut-Marais, is the oldest covered market in Paname. One of the unknown visits to Paris but which worth the detour. Stands reflect character cosmopolitan of the city (organic, Japanese, Lebanese, bistro) to do your shopping or have a quick lunch.
A few meters away, the Pierre Herme shop invites to sweet debauchery. Macaroons, chocolates and desserts… the most difficult thing is to choose between these aesthetic and gustatory marvels! The promise is there: balance and perfection! Count around €7.50 for an individual entremet and €2.50 for a macaroon.
Place des Vosges and the Bastille
Then go down the Turenne Street to the arcades of the Place des Vosges. At No. 41 is the Joyeuse fountain. Several remarkable mansions to observe along the street, especially at numbers 52-54 and 60.
Place des Vosges, restaurants and galleries are installed under the arcades. At the southeast corner, the Parisian residence of Victor Hugo welcomes admirers of the great man (entrance at n°6).
Finally, the visit ends Bastille’s Place, a highly symbolic place, dominated by the July column. Ideal for eating or cooling off on rue de la Roquette before continuing your visits to Paris.
