A local’s guide to visiting the historical Passage du Havre near Saint Lazare station; one of the oldest covered passages in Paris, perfect to go shopping!
A while ago, after a quick visit to Rue Sainte-Anne – the beating heart of the Japanese quarter – I found myself near Opéra and Gare Saint-Lazare.
If you’ve been following my writing since I moved back to Paris, you’ll already know that I’m incredibly fond of the city’s magnificent covered passages.
One of the more “modern” ones, if you can call it that, is the one we’re looking at today, located right across from the Saint-Lazare station: the Passage du Havre.
Visiting Historical Passage du Havre near Saint-Lazare Paris
Built in 1845, the Passage du Havre might look very modern with its many shops like Tamaris, but it’s actually one of the oldest.
For those of you who love the history of Paris and France, you really should visit the city’s covered passages.
From Passage Jouffroy to Passage du Grand Cerf, and from Passage des Panoramas to the exquisite Galerie Vivienne, there are so many to discover.
The Passage du Havre is quite different, both in soul and aesthetic.
Its original purpose back in 1845 was to serve passengers arriving from Normandy; it was born right when the railway industry was booming.
While the passages along the Grands Boulevards have kept their old-world feel, the Passage du Havre underwent a radical reconstruction in the late 90s.
That’s why you see modern architecture there today, though it still holds onto that classic passage character with its glass ceiling that lets a soft light filter into the shopping center.
Passage du Havre Paris Photo Gallery
Visiting Historical Passage du Havre near Saint-Lazare Paris
Once you’ve finished wandering through the Passage du Havre, you’ll find a myriad of fascinating places to discover nearby (and even further afield!):
- The sculpture L’Heure de Tous (Everyone’s Time) right in front of Gare Saint-Lazare.
- Major department stores like Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, and Citadium, just a few minutes’ walk away.
- The Palais Garnier, which is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris.
- The free museeum of perfume Fragonard near Opéra, which ends in an incredible boutique with affordable, quintessentially French perfumes.
- And a curious Alsatian house also located on rue Saint Lazare!
If you want to get off the beaten path, I also suggest visiting Montmartre and Le Marais with fresh eyes.
You’ll find plenty of pretty streets there, as well as spots to shop or eat to your heart’s content!
And if you’re more of a nature lover, I recommend checking out the colorful alleys of Paris or its secret villages, such as Impasse des Moulins Verts, Rue des Thermopyles, or even the Cité Florale!
Passage du Havre Paris
Address: 109 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75009 Paris
Website: Passage du Havre