Cour Damoye, Private passage in Bastille district, France
The Cour Damoye is a narrow private passage running between Place de la Bastille and Rue Daval, accessed through a discreet entrance tucked between street-level cafes. The corridor extends about 124 meters and measures roughly 6 meters wide, lined with multi-story industrial buildings that define the craftsmen quarter.
The passage was established in the 18th century by Antoine Pierre Damoye, a hardware merchant, as part of the Faubourg Saint-Antoine craftsmen quarter. It remains a relic from when this area served as a center for artisanal production and workshop activity.
The passage houses various artisanal workshops, including a poster restoration studio, leather goods maker, and coffee roasting facility within its industrial buildings.
The passage is passable daily but remains privately owned and can close at any time. Visit during daytime hours when workshops are most likely to be open and foot traffic is manageable.
The ground is paved with original cobblestones and climbing plants cover the building facades, creating a surprisingly green pocket within the city. This vegetation is uncommon in Parisian interior passages and gives the place a distinctly different character from surrounding streets.
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