Description: Although located in the bustling heart of Paris, just off the busy Grands Boulevards and quite close the Opera Garnier, this square is small and quiet, a bit like an older, eccentric doyen of the neighborhood. The Metro entrance features an iconic archway by Hector Guimard, designer of all of the Metro entrances until Art Nouveau fell out of style. Luckily, several entrances like this have been preserved or restored today.

Description: Cross the rue du Quatre Septembre and look at the building to the right, at intersection with the rue de Choiseul (number 10). You’ll see an engraved stone plaque that notes that what might seem to be worn away fragments of the façade are actually the damage that remains from a bomb that was dropped here during World War I, on January 30, 1918.

Description: Cross the rue du Quatre Septembre again and head just past the Metro entrance, to the street on the right, the rue Monsigny. On your left, at number 14, you’ll see a shop with an old-fashioned façade, called Ultramod. Peep inside its dusty windows and you’ll discover a haberdashery. These were a frequent sight in this area, which is still a major shopping destination. Founded in the mid-1800’s, when the area was home to many other hatmaking stores, this one, whose illustrious past you can read about on its website, is still open and serving customers, but it looks like a charming time capsule. If you want to do more than just peep inside, the entrance is at number 3, rue de Choiseul.

Monday: 10:00 - 18:00
Tuesday: 10:00 - 18:00
Wednesday: 10:00 - 18:00
Thursday: 10:00 - 18:00
Friday: 10:00 - 18:00

Description: If you love books, the shop across the street at number 11 is also of interest, although not in any way beautiful or charming. Inside, you’ll find a number of French books and a fairly decent selection of English-language, Japanese, and several other foreign language books, for very low prices.

Monday: 10:00 - 19:30
Tuesday: 10:00 - 19:30
Wednesday: 10:00 - 19:30
Thursday: 10:00 - 19:30
Friday: 10:00 - 19:30
Saturday: 10:00 - 19:30

Description: Constructed from 1825-1827, this is one of the few remaining covered passages in Paris. They were all the rage in the 19th century, when they were full of busy shops and attractions (think of them as a sort of proto-shopping mall). Over time, they fell out of favor, and became dilapidated, forgotten places. Famous French writer Louis-Ferdinand Céline, who spent his chlidhood here, described the passage as already in a bad state in the early 20th century. Recent decades have renewed interest in the covered passages and it’s understandable, they’re full of a quiet, bygone charm. Like many of its fellow covered passages, the Passage Choiseul boasts charming architecture, eclectic shops, and a few restaurants and services, as well as the entrance to a theater ( le Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens). Take a stroll through here and you’ll be transported to a place out of time and even out of modern-day-Paris. Then, you’ll re-emerge onto another bustling Parisian street, the rue des Petits Champs.

Sunday: 08:00 - 21:00
Monday: 07:00 - 21:00
Tuesday: 07:00 - 21:00
Wednesday: 07:00 - 21:00
Thursday: 07:00 - 21:00
Friday: 07:00 - 21:00
Saturday: 07:00 - 21:00