Paris Secret Covered Passages & BNF Oval Room Walking Tour

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3 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English and 2 more

Discover 19th-Century Paris & Its Secret Arcades

Step off the tourist trail to explore Paris's hidden covered passages and the world's first luxury arcades. On this 3-hour walking tour, uncover secret history, stunning architecture, and enjoy an included gourmet drink break.

Galerie Vivienne & Palais-Royal (35 min)

Meet your local guide at Place du Palais Royal. Discover Galerie Vivienne’s glass domes, mosaic floors, and luxury boutiques.

BNF Oval Room (40 min)

Step inside the BNF Richelieu’s magnificent Salle Ovale, a grand reading room under an 18m glass ceiling.

Café Verlet Break (30 min)

Relax at Paris’s oldest coffee roaster (est. 1880) with a €10 drink budget included per guest.

Secret Arcades & Wrap-Up (75 min)

Explore Passage des Panoramas and Passage Jouffroy’s vintage shops. Finish at Square Louvois with top insider tips!

Nearest Metro: Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 & 7).

What's Included

Historical and cultural insights
Local Professional guide
Walking tour of covered passages
Visit of BNF Richelieu Oval Room (free access only)
Museum entry tickets (BNF exhibition areas NOT included)- To be paid on site
Food and drinks
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Tips and gratuities (optional)

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

Palais Royal – Statue of Louis XIV, Place du Palais Royal, 75001 Paris. The nearest metro station is Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (lines 1 & 7).

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 3 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Statue Equestre de Louis XIV

    Meet your guide at Place des Victoires, next to the Equestrian Statue of Louis XIV. Please arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.

    15 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Galerie Vivienne

    Explore one of Paris’s most beautiful historic covered passages, Galerie Vivienne. Walk beneath its elegant glass roof and admire its original mosaic floors, ornate architecture, and charming boutiques. Your guide will share stories about 19th-century Parisian life and the famous figures who have been connected to this iconic passage. There will also be time to take photos beneath the central glass rotunda.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Bibliotheque de recherche - Site Richelieu

    Step inside one of Paris’s most spectacular libraries, the historic BnF Richelieu. Discover the elegant Cour d’Honneur before entering the magnificent Oval Room, a breathtaking reading room topped by a soaring glass roof. Take a moment to admire the architecture and atmosphere of this historic library while your guide explains its fascinating history and role in Parisian cultural life. Please note: the Oval Room is an active reading space, so visitors are asked to remain quiet and keep phones on silent. Photography is permitted without flash.

    40 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 4
    Passage des Panoramas

    Discover Passage des Panoramas, one of Paris’s oldest covered passages. Wander through its atmospheric galleries lined with historic storefronts, specialty shops, cafés, and unique collections. Your guide will reveal how these passages transformed Parisian shopping and entertainment and share fascinating stories about their early innovations, including the introduction of gas lighting.

    25 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 5
    Passage Jouffroy

    Continue your journey through Paris’s covered passages at Passage Jouffroy. Admire its elegant glass-and-iron architecture and explore its charming antique shops, bookstores, and unusual boutiques. Your guide will introduce you to the history and innovations that made this 19th-century passage a unique part of Parisian life.

    20 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 6
    Paris

    Leave the covered passages behind and explore the quieter historic streets of the neighborhood. Follow your guide through hidden corners, historic courtyards, and streets connected to the writers, artists, and characters of 19th-century Paris. Finish at the beautiful Square Louvois and admire its elegant fountain while learning about the fascinating history hidden beneath this peaceful Parisian square.

    50 minutes • Admission ticket free
  • 7
    Square Louvois

    End your experience at Square Louvois, where your guide will recap the highlights of the tour and share recommendations for places to eat, drink, or continue exploring the neighborhood independently.

    10 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Reevoria Travel

Tags

Half-day Tours
Private and Luxury
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Walking Tours
Small Group
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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