A local’s guide to visiting the sophisticated Galerie Colbert in Paris, a hidden gem in the 2nd arrondissement close to Galerie Vivienne and Palais Royal!
The Galerie Colbert is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Paris, but it’s also almost entirely empty no matter what time of day you visit.
This covered passage is part of a whole collection across the city that really marked the beginning of the modern shopping mall, following in the footsteps of the very first ones like the Passage des Panoramas and the Galerie Vivienne.
The Galerie Vivienne, with its stunning carvings and that beautiful old bookstore, is usually the one everyone talks about when they’re in the 2nd arrondissement.
But today, I really wanted to share this hidden gem with you because it’s tucked away just a few steps from its famous neighbor.
Galerie Colbert, Paris’s Most Unknown Covered Passage
Built in 1826, the Galerie Colbert is only three years younger than the Galerie Vivienne.
It was constructed during the golden age of Parisian passages, right when the city was waking up and transforming into a modern commercial hub.
Interestingly, the whole history of the Galerie Colbert is actually a story of competition.
It was built by the Caisse des Bureaux de Commerce specifically to steal customers away from the Galerie Vivienne, banking on an even more spectacular design to win people over.
Its name actually comes from the Hôtel de Colbert, which was once the home of Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the famous Finance Minister for King Louis XIV.
When you step inside and start walking around, you feel like you’ve been transported straight back to the Belle Époque.
And yet, by the 20th century, the gallery had fallen into total ruin – it was abandoned and felt so far away from the life of the Palais Royal and the Louvre.
Eventually, the National Library acquired it and it was restored in the 1980s, which is why we can still admire its secret, magnificent architecture right in the heart of Paris today.
Read: 1st Arrondissement of Paris: The Best Places to Visit
When I visited for the first time a few days ago, I realized that unlike passages like Jouffroy, Verdeau, or the Grand Cerf, there are actually no shops inside.
Even though it was designed for commerce, it never quite managed to pull the crowds away from the gallery next door, so it eventually found a different purpose.
When I went, the famous bronze statue by Charles Rezti, Dying Eurydice, wasn’t in its usual spot under the glass rotunda.
Instead, there were these floating spheres and beautiful lights that complemented the Pompeii-inspired decor, with frescoes and faux-marble columns that really show off the aesthetic tastes of the early 19th century.
There are two entrances, but I went in through Rue Vivienne, which is right near the secret Place des Petits Pères and the extravagant Place des Victoires.
If you go that way, just keep in mind you have to enter through the National Institute of Art History to get into the gallery itself.
Inside, you’ll find the legendary Parisian brasserie Le Grand Colbert, which is famous for its Belle Époque decor and old-world vibe.
Right across from the gallery is the stunning Richelieu site of the National Library of France, and you can actually visit its exquisite Salle Ovale for free.
Galerie Colbert Paris Photo Gallery
Galerie Colbert, Paris’s Most Unknown Covered Passage
Once you’re done exploring the Galerie Colbert, there are so many gorgeous spots to see in the 2nd arrondissement.
You have the Palais Royal gardens, the Buren columns, and the secret Passage des Deux Pavillons.
You can also head over to Rue Sainte-Anne in the Japanese quarter – Boulangerie Aki is one of my absolute favorites for black sesame cakes and matcha lattes!
If you’re looking for something with a bit more of a hipster or bohemian vibe, you can head up to Place du Tertre in Montmartre to see the painters and caricaturists while catching a beautiful free view of the city.
The Marais is also just a short walk away, where you can find the BHV department store, the medieval Cloître des Billettes, and the colorful Stravinsky Fountain nearby.
Galerie Colbert Paris
Address: 6, rue des Petits Champs – 2 rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
Website: Paris Je T’aime