Discovering the covered passages located along the Right Bank is a wonderful way to spend a morning. Part of the fun is finding them. While they are all marked, they can appear inconspicuous until you enter. These covered shopping arcades (couverts) hail from the 19th century when they offered an environment protected from the streets (apparently there were no sewers at the time.) There are less than two dozen remaining today, located primarily in the 2nd and 9th arondissements. Most are within easy walking distance of the Palais Royal. They are definitely a varied lot. I found Galerie Vivienne to be the most stunning with lots of upscale shops and Passage Jouffrey to the most fun with a wonderful pastry shop, which I plan to become acquainted. Passage Choiseul has an Asian vibe. The entrances are fantastic, inside and out. I loved the way the light illuminated the decorative doorways and the contrast between dark and light. I also loved entering each one and being wonderfully surprised by what was inside. Definitely worth a trip back in time!
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