When ARTIFICE first discovered the glass ceilings of Paris, it was with great surprise and delight on a mixed up sort of day, when the sun was in and out of the clouds.
On a shopping mission, we traveled down our favorite Right bank street, the ETIENNE MARCEL, towards the Place de La Victoire, where fashionistas go to peer in the windows of KENZO and MULBERRY and other such hallowed places. But on this sort of adventure where you begin, is not often where you’ll end up.
Something interesting always happens.
Just as we were rushing towards the elegant statue of Louis high atop his horse, we came upon the lovely Cafe Vivienne, and, the Galleries Vivienne just behind it. Here was the arrival point for a fashionista, especially one with a historical bent.
The Glass galleries of Paris are the 19th Century equivalent of a shopping mall. The ceilings, borrowing from the cast iron technology of the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais, are elegant, airy, and, unique pieces of history in Paris. The shops and boutiques are an authentic French experience and only lately, have the cutting edge designers discovered them to showcase their designs. It was no surprise that Gaultier, had a large shop there with generous windows and oddly decorated mannequins. The Cafe Vivienne, also, made for a lovely lunch with plenty of friendly waiters and a delicious apple tart dessert with a generous snifter of Grand Marnier. A dangerous shopping combination, to be sure.
ARTIFICE should mention that the arcade pictured is not in your typical guide books, like theaforementioned. This image comes from an arcade that is near the rue Montergeuil, behind les Halles and and next to rue Tiquetonne, it is the Passage du Grand Cerfs, located in the opposite direction. Alas, our beautiful photos of Galerie VIVIENNIE were lost in one of those digital glitches we can’t bear to report here.
Here’s our list of destinations for a slightly cloudy day in Paris, with a chance, of rain for shop-aholics, book-enders, and tag sale shoppers. Its like a day of rummaging, and, as veteran shoppers, its one of our favorite delights in Paris.
Covered Galleries in Paris, by ARTIFICE.
Galleries VIVIENNE, 6 rue Vivienne to 4 rue des Petites Champs. Look for the Place de La Victoire, and you’ll find it. Tres Chic rating with the NATHALIE boutique, Gaultier, and lovely books shop.
Passages de Grand Cerfs rue St. Denis to 10 rue Dussoubs, 2e. Take a side street, Marie Stewart off rue Montergeuil, and you’ll see it in front of you. Filled with Funky shops and Architecture offices.
Passages de Jouffroy @ Passages Verdeau 10-12 Blvd. Montmartre, 9e. Antiques and Postcards, etc. ARTIFICE cannot comment as this one we missed.
Something interesting always happens so we suggest you take a bit of a tour and we’ll promise that you’ll be intrigued when you end up there.
Here is our list of shopping sites, and, the three destinations you can discover there:
Galleries VIVIENNE, 6 rue Vivienne to 4 rue des Petites Champs. Look for the Place de La Victoire, and you’ll find it. Tres Chic rating with the NATHALIE boutique, Gaultier, and lovely books shop.
Passages de Grand Cerfs rue St. Denis to 10 rue Dussoubs, 2e. Take a side street, Marie Stewart off rue Montergeuil, and you’ll see it in front of you. Filled with Funky shops and Architecture offices.
Passages de Jouffroy @ Passages Verdeau 10-12 Blvd. Montmartre, 9e. Antiques and Postcards, etc. ARTIFICE cannot comment as this one we missed.
