Passage du Désir, thoroughfare in Paris, France
Passage du Désir is a narrow pedestrian corridor in the 10th arrondissement of Paris, roughly 5 meters wide and over 210 meters long, running between Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin and Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis. The passage consists of two sections interrupted by Boulevard de Strasbourg, containing residential buildings, small shops, and craft workshops, some dating back to the 18th century.
The passage received its current name in 1789, previously called Allée du Puits, and was originally a private closed lane bordered by gates. In 1852, the construction of Boulevard de Strasbourg cut through the area and split the passage into two separate sections, fundamentally altering its original structure.
The passage has borne its current name since 1789, previously called Allée du Puits, with the name possibly evoking old pleasure houses that once existed nearby. Today, residents use it as a quiet place to walk and shop at small local businesses and craft workshops that still bring activity to the narrow space.
The passage is accessible only on foot and sits within easy reach of metro stations Château d'Eau and Gare de l'Est for convenient access. The two sections have different access arrangements, with the western section openly visible, while the eastern section requires an access code and is better suited for guided visits.
The eastern section retains an unusually well-preserved uniform facade alignment with precisely coordinated buildings constructed in brick and stone, recalling early 17th-century design. This carefully orchestrated arrangement with refined details such as sculptured masks and cornices represents a rare example of intentional urban planning where cohesion and refinement were deliberately pursued.
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