These covered passages are galleries which were either drilled through buildings or built at the same time as them. They are mostly on the right bank of the Seine and are the remains of the Paris described in the novels of Emile Zola. Much prized by the Parisians, these covered passageways were a haven of peace providing shelter from the rain and the carriages.
The Passage Verdeau was built in 1847 at the same time as the Passage Jouffroy. Light and airy thanks to its high glass roof, this passage nevertheless remains little known to Parisians. Built in a very sober neoclassical style, it harbours bookshops and antique dealers (it is close to the Hôtel Drouot auction house) and numerous restaurants.
The Passage Jouffroy is aligned with the Verdeau and Panoramas passages. Built entirely in iron and glass, it was the first to have floor heating installed. At the time it was in the basement of the famous Montmartre ballroom and is now home to many restaurants and boutiques.