PASSAGE VIVIENNE and other Paris, France Shopping Tips

Name of Shop: PASSAGE VIVIENNE

BACK IN 1828 PARIS HAD LOADS OF SHOPPING PASSAGES (ARCADES) THESE UNDERCOVER SHOPS WERE BUILT TO SAVE PEDESTRIANS FROM MUD AND HORSE-DRAWN VEHICLES..
WELL OF THE 137 THAT WERE AROUND IN 1828 ONLY ABOUT 28 REMAIN TODAY.
OVER THE YEARS LOTS OF THEM FELL INTO DISREPAIR AND WERE LEFT TO ROT AND CRUMBLE.
IN RECENT YEARS THESE PASSAGES HAVE GOT A NEW LEASE OF LIFE AND MANY HAVE BEEN RESTORED TO THEIR FORMER GLORY.. ONE OF THOSE IS PASSAGE VIVIENNE.
THE ENTRANCE TO PASSAGE VIVIENNE IS EASY TO MISS BUT ONCE INSIDE YOU ARE TRANSPORTED BACK TO AN AGE LONG FORGOT.. THIS IS ONE OF THE POSHEST PASSAGES IN PARIS AND IS A REAL TREAT TO WALK THROUGH AND ADMIRE ITS SPLENDER.
VIVIENNE HAS SHOPS RANGING FROM THE LIBRAIRIE JOUSSEAUME BOOKSTORE--SILK SCARVES AT WOLFF ET DESCOURTIS--AND A LOVELY 1830'S STYLE BRASSERIE.
BUT REMEMBER WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE LOVELY SHOP FRONTS TO ALSO REMEMBER TO LOOK BOTH AT THE FLOOR AT PASSAGE VIVIENNE'S STUNNING MOSAIC FLOOR'S AND UP TO THE CEILING TO ADMIRE THE GLASS ROTUNDA...
WHEN BARON HAUSSMAN CLEARED MOST OF PARIS TO MAKE WAY FOR THE GRAND BOULEVARDS ITS NICE TO KNOW THAT SOME OF OLD PARIS IS STILL AROUND TO VIEW AND ADMIRE TO THIS DAY...
AND YOU MUST ADMIT THAT THESE LITTLE HAVENS FROM THE TRAFFIC ARE NEEDED AS MUCH NOW AS THEY WERE BACK IN 1828... ENJOY.

What To Buy: SILK SCARVES
ANTIQUE BOOKS.
FLOWERS.
WINE.


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Theme: Local Craft
Directions: ON RUE VIVIENNE
METRO BOURSE.

Name of Shop: Passages

GALERIE VERO DODAT WAS BUILT IN 1826 AND NAMED AFTER ITS OWNERS.. A PAIR OF CHARCUTIERS ( BUTCHERS ).
ONLY A STONES THROW FROM THE LOUVRE, THIS WAS ONCE ONE OF MANY SUCH PASSAGES IN THE AREA THAT RAN FROM LES HALLES TO THE PALAIS ROYAL.
GALERIE VERO DODAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PLACES IN PARIS TO BE LIT BY GAS..
GAS LIGHTS WERE PLACED ABOVE MIRRORS FOR BEST EFFECT IN THE DAYS BEFORE ELECTRICITY..
FULLY RESTORED IN 1980 THIS IS A LOVELY OLD PLACE TO WANDER THROUGH AND GAZE AT ITS UNIFORMED STOREFRONTS AND PRETTY BLACK AND WHITE TILED FLOOR.
SHOPS IN THE GALERIE SELL THINGS LIKE OLD FASHIONED TOYS AND LEATHER GOODS.. BUT THE SHOP TO LOOK OUT FOR IS ROBERT CAPIA'S ANTIQUE DOLL SHOP.
THESE OLD PASSAGES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO SPEND SOME TIME WHEN THE WEATHER IS NOT BEING KIND..PLUS YOU GET AN INSIGHT INTO HOW PARIS USED TO SHOP.

What To Buy: ANTIQUE DOLLS
OLD FASHIONED TOYS
LEATHER GOODS.


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Theme: Antiques
Directions: METRO LOUVRE RIVOLI
ENTRANCE ON RUE JEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU.

Name of Shop: Viaduc des Arts

VIADUC DES ARTS ON THE AVENUE DAUMESNIL IS RIGHT BELOW PROMENADE PLANTEE..
BUILT INTO THE ARCHES OF THE OLD RAILWAY VIADUCT ON WHICH THE PARK OF PROMENADE PLANTEE STANDS YOU WILL FIND A HOST OF TRENDY SHOPS SELLING EVERYTHING FROM ARTS AND CRAFTS TO ANTIQUES. AND EVEN TOP OF THE RANGE BATHROOMS !!
LOTS OF THESE SHOPS ARE HOME TO THE CREAME OF PARIS'S TRENDY DESIGNERS SO YOU CAN EXPECT TO FIND PRICES TO MATCH..
THAT SAID IT DOSENT COST ANYTHING TO LOOK, SO AFTER YOUR WALK IN THE PARK ABOVE THE SHOPS WHY NOT COME ON DOWN AND SPEND SOME TIME ON THE VIADUC DES ARTS..
AND YOU NEVER KNOW YOU JUST MIGHT HIT ON A BARGAIN !!

What To Buy: ARTS AND CRAFTS
ANTIQUES.


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Theme: Antiques
Address: 1 to 129 avenue Daumesnil – 75012
Directions: In the 12th arrondissement near Opéra Bastille and Gare de Lyon
METRO : GARE DE LYON OR DAUMESNIL
Website: http://www.viaduc-des-arts.com