"Weather-proof shopping in Paris? They had that covered in the 19 th century, when over 100 arcades were built to provide somewhere safe for ladies to meet and enjoy a little retail therapy even (!) without male company. Today, some 20 of them are still operating, and where better to while away an hour or two, however inclement the weather?"
"Top of the list for elegance is Galerie Vivienne, opened in 1823, it was originally built to attract shoppers visiting the nearby Palais Royal. It still oozes exclusivity: mosaic flooring, elegant pillars and archways, polished wood shopfronts gleaming in the light of the chandeliers. Despite the plush surroundings there are a couple of cafés where you can enjoy a not-too-expensive pit stop."
"Among the most browsable shops are Lucien Legrand, Filles et Fils, a wine shop first opened in 1880, and the Librairie Jousseaume, a chaotically intriguing bookshop which opened in 1826. Inside are overflowing shelves and piled-high tables and outside you'll find boxes of second-hand books, including some in English, to rifle through."
"Also ripe for exploring are three arcades in a row in the Grands Boulevards area near the Opéra, which you can wander through one after another. Amid the cafés of the Passage des Panoramas you'll find a quirky row of old-fashioned stamp shops and a specialist chocolatier."
Paris shopping spans historic covered passages, UNESCO-listed bookshops, glamorous department stores, legendary food shops, and hidden gems. Over 100 arcades were built in the 19th century to provide safe retail spaces, and about 20 still operate today. Galerie Vivienne, opened in 1823, offers mosaic floors, elegant pillars, archways, polished shopfronts, and chandelier light, with cafés for breaks. Lucien Legrand and Filles et Fils offer wine and related shopping, while Librairie Jousseaume features overflowing shelves and second-hand books, including some in English. L’Aparté sells fabric flowers and knick-knacks, and Si tu veux offers old-fashioned toys and building sets. Grands Boulevards arcades near Opéra include cafés, stamp shops, and a specialist chocolatier.
Read at The Good Life France
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