Author: Cheryl Brooks

Built in 1859, this former elevated railway viaduct came into Paris from the east, terminating at Place de la Bastille in the 12^th arr.  After the creation of the RER A line in 1969 the Viaduc de Bastille became redundant, gradually declining into another example of neglect and decay that was slated for demolition.  Instead, under a bold urban renewal program by the City of Paris in the 1980s, the Viaduc’s fortunes were revived.

The famous passages couverts—covered passages—of Paris were an early form of shopping arcades, mostly dating from the first half of the 19^th century.  By the 1850s, there were around 150 covered passages in Paris, although Haussmann’s massive urban renewal program of Paris saw a number of these demolished.  Of those that remain, some are still dusty and forgotten, awaiting revitalisation, but there are many that have been beautifully restored to their original Art Nouveau or Neoclassical splendour.  Here are just some of them.