Secret Covered Passages Tour in Paris

4.6 (26 reviews) 1 h 30 min Free cancellation

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26 reviews

4.6

Secret Covered Passages Tour in Paris — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Secret Covered Passages Tour in Paris, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

Explore the Hidden Covered Passages of Paris ✨

Step beyond the Eiffel Tower and uncover a secret side of Paris most visitors never see.

On this guided walking tour, discover the city’s enchanting covered passages — hidden arcades filled with history, charm, and timeless elegance. Wander beneath glass ceilings and through beautifully preserved galleries such as Passage Verdeau, Galerie Vivienne, and Passage des Panoramas, alongside lesser-known gems loved by locals.

Learn the stories behind these unique spaces and experience the “secret Paris” that Parisians cherish.

Discover hidden gems most visitors miss

Small group experience for a more personal feel

Engaging storytelling that brings Paris to life

Perfect mix of history, culture, and local insight

Relaxed 2 km route, suitable for all ages

The tour covers approximately 2 km at a comfortable pace.

Please note:

Comfortable shoes recommended.

Bring water and a camera.

Bibliothèque nationale de France is closed on Monday

Private and Luxury Cultural Tours Historical Tours Walking Tours Small Group Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 12 people
People per booking: 1–12
Guide: English
Operated by: Top Sights Tours

Ages: Infants (1–2 years) · Children (3–12 years) · Youth (13–17 years) · Adults (18–64 years) · Seniors (65–100 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Bibliothèque nationale de France is closed every Monday
Included: Friendly Guide

Not included

Not included: Tea and coffee: Coffee and/or Tea
Not included: Personal Expenses
Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

A la Mere de Famille

10 min

We enter into a chocolate shop that is the oldest in Paris 1761. The building is now protected. Here you can buy arguably the best chocolate in Paris.
Passage Verdeau

15 min

Named after its creator, Jean-Baptiste-Ossian Verdeau, the Passage was opened in 1846 as an extension of the Passage des Panoramas and the Passage Jouffroy. The gallery's originality lies in its high, fishbone-shaped glass roof. You car't leave without stopping at Ausmane, the elegant perfume house founded by Choukk Ausmane, A few steps away, the Keopi cafe with its refined gourmet specialities brings France and Korea together.
Passage Jouffroy

15 min

The first of its kind to be built entirely of iron and glass, the Passage Jouffroy was built in 1847. Adjacent to the Musée Grévin, this busy passage was renovated in 1987. The signs of the past are still there, such as the Pain d'Épices, the very first toy shop in Paris, which dates back to 1849. Opposite this children's paradise, adults with a passion for retro elegance will find their heart's desire at Galerie Fayet, the last French manufacturer of high-quality walking sticks.
Stop 4

Passing by

Since 1929, the imposing painting by Germond has been enthroned in Bouillon Chartier Grands Boulevards' Belle Époque dining room listed as a historical monument
Passage des Panoramas

15 min

Built in 1799 by Jean-Louis Girard, this covered passage, listed in 1974, is considered to be the first in Paris. It is home to eight stamp shops and the gourmet Caffe Stern, a former 19th-century engraving workshop converted into an Italian restaurant in 2014. More unusual, Kimochi's sushi burger (the only one in France) is a taste experience not to be missed!
Bibliotheque nationale de France - site Francois Mitterrand

10 min

France’s national library, holding roughly 42 million items as a central repository of national heritage, including books, manuscripts, prints, and multimedia.
Galerie Colbert

5 min

Built in 1823, the Colbert Gallery is located a stone's throw from its great rival, the Vivienne Gallery. This pretty covered gallery is the property of the National Library and, unlike other Parisian galleries, does not host any shops. Focused on culture, it is home to the National Institute of Art History
Galerie Vivienne

5 min

Its history begins when the president of the Chamber of Notaries, Maître MARCHOUX, made known his wish to build the most beautiful and attractive gallery in Paris. A leading shopping space, where the Parisian elite could meet to stroll and have fun.
Stop 9

10 min

The Palais-Royal became the property of the Orleans, the youngest branch of the Kingdom of France, in February 1692, when Louis XIV offered it to Monsieur, his brother. The palace garden was then open to the city.
2nd Arr. - Bourse

Passing by

Historically, stock trading took place at several spots in Paris, including rue Quincampoix, rue Vivienne (near the Palais Royal), and the back of the Opéra Garnier (the Paris opera house).
Bibliotheque de la Societe Nationale d'Horticulture de France

5 min

(Closed on Monday) Is the national library and premier research institution of France, headquartered across multiple sites in Paris, with its main modern site in the 13th arrondissement