Sightseeing near rue Montorgueil
La Tour Jean Sans Peur - One of the few medieval
buildings still standing in Paris this "tower of John
the Fearless" was once part of a magnificent mansion,
now gone. But today the tower is a reminder of
those days and holds both permanent and rotating
exhibitions relating to this historic period of the
city. Climb the spiral staircase and view the
exhibits and imagine what Paris was like when it was all
in this style before the modernizations of Baron
Haussmann. Entry fee of 5 Euros with
discounts for children. Opening times are in the
afternoon line from 1:30, and closed on Mondays and
Tuesdays as well as at Christmas through New Year.
Guided tours for an extra fee are available on weekends
with a minimum of 5 people, larger groups need to book
in advance.
website
Passage du Grand-Cerf - In 1825 or before, the
date is not exactly known, this passage first opened
though in 1831 documents still describe the Passage as
being under construction. It is therefore not known when
between 1845 and 1825 the passage truly dates from but
like many of passages of Paris it has had good times and
bad, and this is now very much one of the good times.
Visit today to see extraordinary jewelry and fine
furnishings designed to cater to the sophisticated
tastes of those who live in central Paris. Find it at
the end of rue Marie-Stuart, find the side street
between Bianco and Le Compas d'Or oposit the Pharmacy.
website
Rue de la Paix - This fashionable shopping
street is a great contrast to the lively daily food
shopping of rue Montorgueil, but no less fascinating for
the visitor. Opened first in 1802 it was part of
the Napoleonic plan for the city, and now houses high
class jewelers and top rank fashion boutiques.
Find here the original location of Cartier, a historic
fan maker and high fashion hats. Walk west along
either rue Etiene Marcel then rue des Petits Champs,
cross over avenue de l'Opera onto rue Danielle Casanova
and after two more blocks you are there.
Galerie Vivienne - Just ten minutes walk away
down the rue la Feuillade this covered shopping walkway
is known for it's terraazo tiled floors, its fine
boutiques for both ladies and men as well as the
interior decorations for the house. Don't also miss the
clocks of Garde-Temps or the books of Librairie
Jousseaume.
website
Passage des Panoramas - One of the oldest,
perhaps the oldest, of the Passages of Paris this hidden
gem was named after some Panoramas that were lost over a
100 years ago. What is not lost is the sense of
charm and the bright light through the glass ceiling
glancing off the goods proudly displayed in the small
shops inside. Today it is a conglomerate of a
number of separately named Passages, including Galerie
des Variétés, Galerie Saint Marc and Galerie Montmartre,
all combined together into one festival and retail
extravaganza! Just ten minutes north take the Rue
Reaumur then turn right into the rue Monmarte. The
galleries are behind the Le Balto bar and tabac, keep to
your left and walk 20 meters more and you will find the
very modest entry to the Passage des Panoramas which
does not at all hint at the luxury found within.
website
Other important nearby items to look out for"
- Les Halles
- Eglise Saint-Eustache
- Paris Bourse
- Théâtre des Variétés
- Rue Montmartre
- Centre Georges Pompidou
- Hôtel de Ville
- Arc de Triomphe
