Passage des Panoramas: a hidden gem in the heart of Paris

The Passage des Panoramas is located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. It is close to the Opéra Garnier and Boulevard Haussmann. One of the oldest covered passages in the City of Light and in Europe, it originally housed more than sixty habitable shops. With its picturesque shops, fascinating history, and timeless charm, the Passage des Panoramas offers a unique experience, captivating visitors and transporting them to 19th-century Paris. An architectural gem. The Passage des Panoramas was inaugurated in 1799 and was one of the first covered passages built in Paris. Designed by architect François Jean Delannoy, it was intended to accommodate various shops under an elegant glass roof. The passage’s architecture blends neoclassical aesthetics with the modern elements of the time, creating a distinctive atmosphere that appeals to history and architecture enthusiasts. The glass roof and decoration. The glass roof of the Passage des Panoramas allows natural light to filter through, illuminating the walkways and creating a warm, welcoming ambiance. Architectural details, such as Corinthian columns and delicate ornaments, add an elegant touch to the whole. A journey through commercial history. The Passage des Panoramas was once the heart of Parisian commercial activity, attracting customers with its diverse shops and unique attractions. Over the years, it has evolved while preserving its original character. Today, visitors can stroll along this 133-meter passage bustling with activity. Food shops stand alongside artisans, while collectors of postcards, coins, autographs, and vintage stamps mingle in the crowd. Preserved period decor, such as that of the former Marquis chocolatier and the Stern printing house, symbolizes the ambitious urban planning of the late 18th century. The passage also features antique bookstores and artisanal souvenir shops. Antique lovers will find plenty to admire among the many specialized shops. The Théâtre des Variétés, inaugurated in 1807, is still in operation today, hosting shows and comedies, with celebrities performing there for two centuries. Gastronomy takes center stage. In addition to its wide range of shops, the Passage des Panoramas is also renowned for its varied culinary scene. Michelin-starred restaurants sit alongside traditional bistros, offering visitors an enticing array of flavors. Whether it’s enjoying a coffee in one of the historic brasseries or savoring refined cuisine in a starred restaurant, the Passage des Panoramas provides a memorable dining experience for every taste. Events and entertainment. The Passage des Panoramas is not just a historic site but also a dynamic space that regularly hosts cultural events and exhibitions. From contemporary art exhibitions to artistic performances, the passage remains a lively place that adapts to modern trends while preserving its heritage. The Passage des Panoramas and the inventor of the American steam-powered automobile, Robert Fulton. On April 26, 1799 (5 Floréal, Year VII), American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton (also a painter) obtained a ten-year patent to import the panorama invented by Robert Barker in England. To this end, he had a rotunda built in Paris along Boulevard des Capucines, where the first French panoramic view, *View of Paris from the Tuileries*, painted by Pierre Prévost and Delafontaine, was exhibited. Fulton later sold the patent to another Parisian, James William Thayer (1763–1835), who had just acquired the Hôtel de Montmorency-Luxembourg, where he built the future Passage des Panoramas, topped with a double rotunda to house the attraction. Fulton, businessman and inventor Fulton was actually in France to try to sell his submarine project, which he had named *Nautilus* (a name reused seventy years later by Jules Verne). The construction of the rotunda on the boulevard des Capucines helped fund the studies and trials of his submarine. In the end, although his prototype was far superior to the competition, it was not selected by Bonaparte (apparently due to his Minister of the Navy, Decrès, who opposed any innovation). Fulton took this rejection philosophically and was approached by the British, who saw the advantages of the *Nautilus*. He then emigrated to the United Kingdom. But fortunately for France, the British failed to capitalize on Fulton’s expertise. They merely offered to buy his “secrets,” on the condition that he never put them into practice. The American refused the offer. The Passage des Panoramas and its American builder James William Thayer James William Thayer was an American shipowner. On the boulevard Montmartre, he had two towers built (two rotundas, each 17 meters in diameter and 7 meters high), in which he installed his panoramas—large painted frescoes covering the walls of a rotunda and very fashionable at the time. To make access to the Palais-Royal easier