Galerie de Montpensier, Long gallery in Palais-Royal, Paris, France.
Galerie de Montpensier stretches 227 meters along the western side of the Palais-Royal Garden, defined by continuous stone columns and arched passages overhead. The covered walkway connects different sections of the palace complex and houses dozens of small shops and galleries along its length.
The gallery took shape in the 18th century as part of the Palais-Royal's development and was named after the Duke of Montpensier. During the French Revolution, it became a gathering place for political meetings and discussions that influenced the events of that time.
Antique dealers and art merchants have occupied these arcaded spaces for generations, shaping how locals and visitors move through and experience the gallery. The shops create a particular rhythm to the place, drawing those interested in French decorative arts and rare finds.
The gallery is easily walkable and connects to nearby metro stations, making it a natural route through the neighborhood. Comfortable shoes help when exploring, as the covered passage extends quite far and invites leisurely browsing through the shops.
A clock maker's workshop established in 1845 continues operating at numbers 51-52, keeping alive the craft of traditional timepiece making in these very rooms. This workshop stands as one of the oldest continuously active craft spaces in the gallery, drawing those curious about skilled handiwork.
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