20.9.10

Passage du Caire

The “Passage du Caire” is certainly not the most immediately attractive of the Paris galleries (see some previous posts - 1, 2, 3 ,4 - about other galleries), but it’s the oldest, claims to be the longest … and also one of the narrowest. As it’s very particular with a very special atmosphere it’s worth a visit.

There are different entrances; the main one is at Place du Caire, remarkable for the pseudo-Egyptian decoration of the facade with three heads of the goddess Hathor, some (supposed to be) hieroglyphs… . The surrounding streets have also names referring to Egypt. This is all due to the passion for Egypt which followed Napoleon’s campaigns in this country. The gallery dates from 1798. There are different alleys, but if you follow the major one, you will reach Rue Saint Denis.
In the beginning it was occupied by printing and lithography houses. Today, you will basically find wholesales clothes shops. In the passageways you will see people carrying clothes in cardboard boxes, shop equipment, mannequins… We are in the “Sentier” area, known for this kind of business. There are also a lot of workshops linked to these kinds of activities around. It’s however possible that also this area slowly will be transformed into something more fashionable.

20 comments:

Mystica said...

Is this a covered passage? Something like a souk is it. Thank you for the photographs. A nice way to start Monday morning here.

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Awesome! Loved the feature on Hathor!

Olivier said...

ca fait tout Paris, ces petits passages, ou on trouve encore des petits artisans, j'aime beaucoup

hpy said...

C'est pratique de se promener avec toi.

Cezar and Léia said...

Those signs faces in the wall are outstanding!
Very interesting passage with curious shops,I specially love those hats!Did you buy anything there? ;)
I think you would be very elegant using a hat!
Thanks again for taking us with you in your tours, adorable post!
have a nice week dear friend
hugs
Léia

Adam said...

I would imagine that it is easily the longest passage in Paris. It's a real rabbit warren in there! It could be made into something far more interesting, but I guess it serves its purpose well enough. As it is almost completely wholesale traders though, there is almost nothing to look at for the casual visitor!

Cergie said...

Tu es donc reparti avec un naked mannequin à ton bras et un panama sur la tête ; c'est moins lourd qu'une obélisque...

SusuPetal said...

Hi, Peter, I'm back after a month's absence.

That touch of Egypt is interesting.

alice said...

Rien que cette longue verrière vaut le déplacement! j'ai hâte de voir ce que tu vas nous montrer après les Journées du Patrimoine...
Et accessoirement, je suis sûre que le panama t'irait très bien ;-)

BLOGitse said...

I guess there are several interesting shops...those hats are cool.
Walk like an Egyptian...

Paris Paul said...

Wow, those mannequins are hot, but what are they modelling?

M said...
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M said...
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claude said...

Un autre passage de Paris dont je n'ai pas suvenance.
Encore une découverte que je fais avec toi.

le comité de censure said...

Monsieur piteur est prié de ne pas prendre en photo des femmes nues et de les publier sur son blog. Merci. S'il ne respecte pas cette contrainte, des mesures disciplinaires s'imposeront.

Virginia said...

So did you buy another hat.....and a cigar???

Mathilde said...

Hello Peter!

Ça me fait plaisir de te retrouver au hasard des liens! Il y a parfois des arrêts salutaires qui permettent de se retrouver ou de se perdre encore c'est selon. Toi ! Tu ne changes pas ! Imperturbable sur ton solex ! j’imagine !!! Pour sillonner et mettre en valeur tous ces coins de Paris que nous aimons découvrir à travers tes yeux ! J’espère que tu vas bien.

每当遇见你 said...
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每当遇见你 said...
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chateaudelille said...

Oh my goodness! I can see there is so much I was so unaware of in Paris.Fiona