A local’s guide to visiting the secret Passage de Choiseul near the Opéra Garnier in Paris; a hidden gem of the 2nd Arrondissement filled with history!
Passage de Choiseul is one of the many covered passages you can find in Paris, particularly in the 2nd and 9th arrondissements.
We are in one of the most beautiful spots in Paris, just like many of the magnificent shopping arcades I have told you about before, such as the fabulous trio of passages on the Grands Boulevards: Passage Jouffroy, Verdeau, and Passage des Panoramas.
Today we are focusing on a historical landmark, a symbol of the early 19th century and its industrial boom: Passage de Choiseul.
Passage de Choiseul, The Longest Covered Passage in Paris
Built between 1825 and 1827, Passage de Choiseul is the longest covered passage in Paris and one of the oldest, built around the same time as Passage des Panoramas, Passage Brady, Galerie Vivienne, Galerie Colbert, and Passage du Grand Cerf.
With Passage de Choiseul, we are located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris near the Opera Garnier, just a few minutes’ walk from the Quatre-Septembre metro station.
And we are also in the longest covered passage in Paris; designed by architect Francois Mazois for local professionals and theater-goers, it stretches over no less than 190 meters.
Originally, it was built to connect Rue Saint-Augustin with Rue des Petits-Champs, and even back then, it was a literary hub where the Alphonse Lemerre publishing house, which published the Parnassian poets, was located.
Passage de Choiseul is also a literary site because it was the childhood home of writer Louis-Ferdinand Celine, famous for major works like Journey to the End of the Night.
Little by little, the commercial revolution around the Opera area faded away, and Passage de Choiseul declined.
Some other historic commercial spots, like the secret Palais du Commerce in Belleville or Félix Potin on Rue de Rennes, completely died down, and we can only see their buildings today.
It wasn’t until 2013 that we saw Passage de Choiseul restored and reborn with a new glass ceiling and a reworked floor, though you can still feel the atmosphere of old Paris with its vintage facades and wrought iron.
By the way, it is not the only covered passage recently restored; if I am not mistaken, Galerie Colbert has undergone the same treatment in recent years.
Inside Passage de Choiseul, you can now see several cafes, including one of the most famous historical theaters in Paris, the Theatre des Bouffes Parisiens, founded by composer Jacques Offenbach in 1855.
If you have followed me for a while, you already know how much I love historic cafes and restaurants, as well as old places with an industrial, Art Deco, or Art Nouveau aesthetic (like the Lavirotte Building!).
At Passage de Choiseul, there’s this one, with an entrance directly inside the passage.
A few stationery and clothing boutiques are also located in Passage de Choiseul; if you are looking for souvenirs and cute little things to buy in Paris, it is one of the most local and secret shopping spots you can find in town.
Passage de Choiseul Paris Photo Gallery
Passage de Choiseul, The Longest Covered Passage in Paris
Once you have finished strolling through Passage de Choiseul, why not visit the Japanese quarter on Rue Sainte-Anne?
It is very close by, and you can even start the day with a fabulous breakfast at Aki Boulangerie.
You can also walk for about twenty minutes until you reach Montmartre, which offers fabulous spots like Les Bougies de Charroux or the Jardin des Abbesses, as well as a statue of Dalida.
If you love historical sites, I also suggest visiting the free cloister of the Former Abbey of Port Royal in the 14th arrondissement, as well as the Cloitre des Billettes in the Marais.
There are also many magnificent free museums to visit in Paris, beautiful streets to photograph, and unique boutiques and charming bookstores!
Passage de Choiseul Paris
Address: 40 rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris
Website: Paris Je T’aime