Passages (April 30)

I wanted to explore the covered shopping passages I'd read about, but first thought I'd make a last ditch effort to see if my perfume had been found.  No luck.  I was helped by a very nice young man to purchase a replacement.  These people are waiting to be served at a handbag counter.

You know, even **I** would not need this sign

 when the place is lterally right there :)

Cafe creme in this place is a shot of coffee served with steaming milk.

I never tire of these surprises

 and gorgeous doorways.

There are many covered passages still in use - they are mainly clustered in the 2e arrondissement. 

One dates from the 1700s, but most from the 1800s.  An early kind of mall I guess.  I expected QVB type beauty, but some were quite run down, dare I say tacky.  Still, there were heaps of interesting details to enjoy.  Students were sketching in one, and there were people about in all of them.  The shops are very individual.  I saw a few cross stitch places

and made a purchase in this one - Ladies' Paradise.

There were certainly interesting items to look at - earrings

new old stock from old shops and factories

 curiosities

 "Invader" style art with post-it notes

highly decorated seating outside an Indian restaurant - exactly opposite the only other Indian restaurant in the place.