Mysteries and history of the Galerie Colbert, next door to the Galerie Vivienne

The Galerie Colbert, located in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris between the Place des Victoires and the Palais-Royal gardens, offers a fascinating journey through the city's architectural and cultural history. Built in 1826, it stands on the site of the former Hôtel Colbert, acquired by Colbert in 1665. Designed by architect Jean Billaud, the gallery was intended to compete with the neighboring Galerie Vivienne, but never met with the success hoped for, despite its neoclassical architecture and opulent Pompeian decor.

The 83-meter-long gallery features a spectacular rotunda topped by a glass dome, bringing abundant light to its aisles. Its interior, richly decorated in the Pompeian spirit by François Thiollet, offers a glimpse of the architectural fashions of the period. However, despite its refinement and the elegance of its shops, the gallery never really attracted the public and fell into disuse over the decades.

Discover 3 anecdotes about the Galerie Colbert:

• Anecdote 1: History made its mark on the gallery in 1830 when Berlioz performed"La Marseillaise" from one of its windows, a memorable moment in the Parisian revolutionary spirit.
  
  
• Anecdote 2: In the 19th century, the gallery housed various luxury shops and a literary cabinet with a 15,000-volume library, reflecting its quest for elegance and knowledge.
  
  
• Anecdote 3: The transformation of the central candelabra into a clock in the 1880s symbolizes the passage of time and the gallery's evolution.

• To be read
• Did you know? The Galerie Vivienne, Paris's most charming covered passageway, is built on a former cemetery.
• The Galerie Véro-Dodat, a little-known covered passage with the charm of Paris 1826
• Le Saviez-Vous? discover Paris's unusual anecdotes, places and stories

Despite these assets, the Galerie Colbert never achieved the popularity of the Galerie Vivienne. Falling into disuse in 1890, it was listed as a Monument Historique in 1974, but its deterioration was so advanced that it had to be closed to the public the following year. The original gallery, built with fragile materials, was finally demolished in 1983. The rebirth of the gallery, orchestrated by Louis Blanchet in 1985, scrupulously preserved its architecture and decor. Pompeian decorative elements were meticulously reproduced, and the rotunda regained its glass and steel covering.

Today, the Galerie Colbert is reinventing itself as a center for art and culture, housing prestigious institutions such as the Institut national d'histoire de l'art (INHA) and the Institut national du patrimoine.

The Galerie Colbert is much more than just a covered passageway: it's a witness to Parisian history, an architectural gem that has reinvented itself over the centuries. We invite you to explore its rich history and beautifully restored spaces. A hidden treasure in the heart of Paris, the Galerie Colbert is well worth a visit for anyone interested in history, art and architecture.