Galerie Colbert, Covered passage in 2nd arrondissement, Paris, France.
The Galerie Colbert extends for 83 meters with a width of 5 meters, featuring a glass-covered rotunda and neoclassical architectural elements throughout its corridor.
Constructed in 1826 on the former site of Hotel Colbert, the passage was designed by architect Jean Billaud to rival the neighboring Galerie Vivienne.
The passage now houses the National Institute of Art History and National Heritage Institute, making it a center for academic research and cultural studies.
Located between rue des Petits-Champs and rue Vivienne, the gallery welcomes visitors from Monday through Saturday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
The central rotunda displays a restored Pompeian decorative scheme with a glass dome that illuminates the mosaic-tiled floor beneath.
Location: 2nd arrondissement of Paris
Location: Quartier Vivienne
Inception: 1826
Length: 83 m
Width: 5 m
Part of: road network of Paris
Shares border with: rue des Petits-Champs, rue Vivienne
GPS coordinates: 48.86683,2.33936
Latest update: June 23, 2025 09:42
The covered passages of Paris are major commercial inventions from the early 19th century. Built between 1798 and 1850, these galleries shield pedestrians from weather and street mud with glass and wrought iron roofs. Passages like the Passage des Panoramas, opened in 1799, were pioneers with gas lighting, while Galerie Vivienne (1823) features mosaic floors and neoclassical decorations. The Passage du Grand-Cerf stands out with a height of 12 meters under its glass roof. Today, around thirty passages remain in the 2nd, 9th, and 10th arrondissements. They host various shops: antique bookstores and fashion boutiques at Passage Choiseul, Indian restaurants and spice shops at Passage Brady, fabric vendors at Passage du Caire with Egyptian motifs. Galerie Colbert now houses two art research institutes. These galleries offer insights into a lesser-known part of 19th-century Paris commerce, preserving wooden facades, wrought iron railings, and period signage.
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